Brain matter found on dead woman's bed

Randa Kamblawi's body was found in their home in Nicolson Street

Brain matter was found on a dead woman's pillow indicating she sustained a head injury on her bed despite claims she fell in the bath, a jury has heard.

The DNA profile from bits of brain and bone matched Randa Kamblawi's DNA a forensic scientist told the High Court in Perth.

Mrs Kamblawi's husband Yahya Babiker, 45, is on trial for her murder at their home in Edinburgh's Nicolson Street.

Mr Babiker denies murdering his wife on 20 October 2009.

He said she hit her head on bath taps after slipping.

Forensic scientist Nicola Martin told the court that heavy bloodstaining was found on several items of bedding as well as on items of clothing that were worn by Mr Babiker.

The pattern of bloodstaining provide support for that pillow being close to Randa Kamblawi when she sustained a head injury Nicola Martin Forensic scientist

She said there was bloodstaining present in the bedroom, the hallway and in the bathroom where the body was found, and it appeared some attempt had been made to clean up by someone.

"There was a large distribution of blood in the bedroom," she said. "On the peach pillow there was what appeared to be brain matter."

She said a clump of hair was also found.

She added that a piece of bone was found on the duvet cover and that bloodstaining in the bedroom suggested something made an impact into her wet blood.

She said: "The presence of a substance appearing to be brain matter, the presence of hair, and the pattern of bloodstaining provide support for that pillow being close to Randa Kamblawi when she sustained a head injury."

One-way ticket

Babiker said he did not call for an ambulance or the police because he was afraid his children would be taken away.

Mr Babiker denies washing blood from the bedroom walls, bedroom furniture and fittings, the hallway floors and door and the bathroom floor and walls with a mop and bucket to remove traces of his wife's blood.

He further denies disposing of the murder weapon at an unknown location, dumping the 34-year-old's body in the bath and failing to report her death to delay the possibility of the police investigating and gathering evidence.

Mr Babiker further denies hampering any probe into the murder by taking a taxi to Edinburgh Airport and trying to buy a one-way ticket to Paris. He denies flying to Heathrow and hiding out in London.

The trial, before Lady Stacey, continues.