Spalding woman died from severe skull fracture, court hears
A woman found dead in her home suffered a severe skull fracture, a court has heard.Kristine Sparane was found by police lying on a bed and covered in blood at her flat in Winsover Road, Spalding, on 26 November.Brian Simpson, 64, was initially charged with murder but a trial of facts is now under way after he was deemed unfit to face a criminal trial due to his mental health. Home Office pathologist Dr Stuart Hamilton, who carried out the post-mortem examination, told Lincoln Crown Court the 37-year-old had suffered a number of lacerations to her head consistent with blunt force rather than a bladed object.
Giving evidence earlier, he said: "It would have to be least four heavy blows, most likely more," he said.Dr Hamilton agreed the injuries were consistent with Ms Sparane's head being closed into a door.Blue specks of paint found on her skull were also consistent with a large pepper mill recovered during the investigation, the court heard."It was entirely consistent with it (the pepper mill) being used to strike the head," the pathologist said.However, it was his opinion those blows had not caused Ms Sparane's death.Bruising on her hands suggested she had been trying to defend herself, Dr Hamilton added.
Small stab wound
Jurors heard on Tuesday that police found Mr Simpson lying facedown on a bedroom floor wearing only his trousers and next to a blood-coated kitchen knife.An uninjured, young child was also present in the room.Officers initially believed Mr Simpson, of Nene Court, Spalding, was dead but he was later heard making comments including, "they're coming to kill me", before being taken to hospital.The court heard he had a small stab wound near his abdomen which did not require surgery and could have been self-inflicted.The trial of the facts will determine whether Mr Simpson killed Ms Sparane but cannot result in a conviction. If the court is not satisfied he is guilty, he will be acquitted.The hearing continues.Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here.
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