Husband lover 'had DNA of murdered wife under nails'

THE finger nails of a woman accused of murdering her lover's wife revealed DNA matching that of the alleged victim, a trial heard.

Rita Heyster was detained by police soon after the body of disabled mum-of-four Carol Jarvis, 47, was found under the floor of her home in Bathgate, West Lothian.

Routine swabs were taken from her hands.

The High Court in Edinburgh has been told that for days before the grim discovery, Heyster, 57, had been living in a garden hut there.

Carol's husband, Harry Jarvis, had said he planned to leave his wife for Heyster.

In court yesterday, forensic scientist Nicola Martin was questioned about the tests carried out on the swabs which had shown the presence of "biological material" on and under the finger nails of Heyster's right hand.

The DNA profile matched that of Mrs Jarvis, the trial heard.

Ms Martin said that the DNA had to have come from a "rich source" - such as a body.

Solicitor advocate Ray McMenamin, defending, suggested that Mrs Jarvis' DNA could have been transferred onto Heyster as a result of intimate contact between her and Harry Jarvis. Ms Martin agreed that was possible but claimed direct contact between the two women was more likely.

The jury also saw a collection of what appeared to be love notes, several of them bearing fingerprints of Harry Jarvis and many signed "Harry XXX".

One starts: "My darling, I would love a bath and for you to wash my hair. I just want to be with you."

One of the notes with the signature "Harry" includes: "Carol is dying as I write."

Another note read: "This is the best way. Gives us a new start and all that goes with it."

Detective Sergeant John Philip said the letters had been found after Mr Jarvis and Heyster had been detained and accused of murdering Carol.

Questioned by solicitor advocate Ray McMenamin, defending, he said that although cautioned that he didn't need to say anything, Mr Jarvis told detectives he did not murder his wife.

He said it had been an accident which had been his fault.

Heyster, from Peebles, whose present address has been given as Ferguson Way, Livingston, denies murder and attempting to defeat the ends of justice by trying to cover up the crime.

It is alleged that between September 11 and September 15, 2009 at Balbardie Crescent, Bathgate, she murdered Carol, "by means unknown". Then, it is claimed, she failed to notify the authorities of the death, wrapped the body in a blanket and hid Mrs Jarvis.

The trial continues.