The full horror of the violent death of William "Billy Boy" Martindale was described in detail today to the jury trying his alleged killer.
Consultant Home Office forensic pathologist, Dr Benjamin Swift, told Chelmsford Crown Court there were two large, gaping wounds in the dead man's head and a piece of his skull had been pushed inwards and broken off.
Dr Swift added that a section of skull bone had been "pounded inwards, driving down into the brain".
He told the court that Mr Martindale suffered multiple bruising, tears and bleeding to his brain, and died from a severe head injury.
He said that he had 11 injuries in total. They included fractures to both cheekbones, two black eyes, and grazing to his chest and right forearm.
The facial fractures could have been caused separately to the blunt impact to his head, or by the force of it transmitting through the skull, said Dr Swift.
Mr Martindale, 39, was allegedly killed by a pick-axe handle, which the court was told weighed 1.2kg and was 90cm long. The attack is alleged to have taken place at his smallholding at Meadow View Farm, High Ongar, on 7 September last year.
Paul Groves, 34, of Queensway, Ongar, denies murdering Mr Martindale and also inflicting grievous bodily harm on Paul Meeking, 54, of Barking, who was there that evening with Mr Martindale.
Groves and Mr Martindale are said to have fallen out over a deal involving production of cannabis.
Forensic scientist Simon Malsom told the jury that blood patterns and DNA were consistent with the pick-axe handle being used as the weapon.
Mr Martindale's blood and a piece of his skin was embedded in the wider end. Groves' DNA was also found in a blood stain at the other end said Mr Malsom.
He said the pick-axe handle had been "used at least once" to strike Mr Martindale.
He added that Groves' t-shirt had contact blood staining from both Mr Meeking and himself, and Groves' lower trouser leg had contact blood staining from Mr Martindale.
Mr Malsom said two very small airborne spots of Groves' blood were found on the back of Mr Martindale's t-shirt. The most likely explanation was that they were "cast off this weapon when it came to an abrupt stop".
The hearing continues
