Accused in tears as jury sees images of Jo’s bruised body

The 33-year-old covered his face with his hands as close-up pictures of her injuries were shown on big screens.

Tabak removed his glasses and wiped his eyes as pictures of Miss Yeates’s snow-covered corpse were shown.

Further images taken by police after her body was found on Christmas Day show her “in a foetal-type position”.

Close-up shots of her face from post-mortem examinations showed her with blood-stained short blonde hair.

Her eyes were closed and one of her earring studs was in place. Red bruise marks were shown on her neck and chin.

Mr Justice Field had warned the jury at Bristol Crown Court to prepare for the images taken after the body was found by dog walker Daniel Birch.

Mr Birch and his wife, Rebecca, had been walking their labrador Roxy shortly before 9am after opening their presents.

They discovered a “lump” at the side of Longwood Lane, Failand, Somerset, after parking their car nearby, the court heard.

In a police statement read out to the jury, Mr Birch said: “After walking for about 100 metres I saw a lump in the snow and what appeared to be a denim jeans pocket on the left-hand verge.

“I didn’t think about it straightaway and continued walking.

“After about 10 paces, my mind was saying ‘That’s a body’ to me.”

Mr Birch handed Roxy’s lead to his wife before turning round to inspect the body.

“I said to Rebecca ‘That was a body’,” Mr Birch said.

Miss Yeates was lying adjacent to the road with her knees pointing towards a quarry wall.

Her next-door neighbour Tabak admits manslaughter but denies murder.

As the pictures were shown to the jury, pathologist Russell Delaney told the jury of a host of injuries found around her face and neck.

Dr Delaney said: “Bruising only occurs when the heart is beating – so the injuries occurred during life.”

Haemorrhages were noted by Dr Delaney on her eyelids and face.

“The particular haemorrhages in the skin, face and eyelids are signs there has been venous obstruction in the head and neck,” Dr Delaney said.

Post-mortem examinations continued on Boxing Day.

There were apparent blood stains on her flower patterned pink top but no signs of injuries to her genitalia, Dr Delaney said.

The trial was adjourned until Monday, when the cross- examination of Dr Delaney will continue.