DNA swab 'led police to killer'

Philip McNally in court in Mainz, central Germany

A British carpenter has gone on trial in Germany accused of raping and drowning a woman in the bath after breaking into her home six years ago.

Philip McNally, 50, was caught when South Wales Police took his DNA after a row with his girlfriend at their Neath home in February, a court heard.

He allegedly stole gold and jewellery after attacking Helga Pfirsching, 45, and killing her in the city of Worms.

Mr McNally, who was arrested at his home in February, denies the charges.

Stop walking all over us Judge Hans E Lorenz to Philip McNally

Mr McNally is alleged to have broken into the house in 2002 and tied up his victim before raping her and then choking her as she drowned in the bath.

Her body was discovered later that day by her 14-year-old daughter.

Prosecution lawyers say he escaped with a one kilogramme bar of gold worth more than £15,000 along with cash and gold jewellery.

The prosecution said a routine DNA swab was taken by South Wales Police after he argued with his girlfriend at their home in Neath.

Helga Pfirsching's body was discovered by her 14-year-old daughter

It matched that of the suspect wanted for the rape and murder of Mrs Pfirsching, the court was told.

The court heard police also found some of the gold jewellery he had stolen from the suburban semi.

Mr McNally sat opposite Mrs Pfirsching's husband in the courtroom in Mainz, central Germany.

Before the prosecution could start the case against him, he disrupted the proceedings by demanding a new defence team.

He claimed he had no confidence in his lawyers as they had been reluctant to visit him in prison where he had been on remand since February.

"I don't care if the trial starts next year. I can wait," he told the court.

At one point judge Hans E Lorenz - who rejected the bid - shouted at Mr McNally: "Stop walking all over us."

Mr McNally then refused to answer any questions even from his own defence team.

Outside the court, defence lawyer Uwe Krechel said Mr McNally had claimed he was not guilty and had said he might secretly have been given mind-altering drugs to change his behaviour.

Psychiatrists are due to report to the court on whether Mr McNally is sane enough to stand trial.