Double killer used severe force in attack, court told

Pauline Quinn, 73, was found after paramedics were called to Rayton Spur in Worksop

A woman who was attacked by a convicted double murderer released on licence died from a traumatic brain injury, a court has heard.

Pauline Quinn was found dead at her home in November 2021 having suffered a number of significant injuries to her head and face.

Neighbour Lawrence Bierton, who is accused of her murder, was jailed in 1996 for the murders of two sisters.

The 63-year-old was released on licence for the second time in 2020.

Bierton is on trial at Nottingham Crown Court after denying murder on the grounds of diminished responsibility.

Prosecutors say Mrs Quinn was beaten to death with a coffee table just after 16:00 GMT at her home in Rayton Spur, Worksop, Nottinghamshire, on 9 November 2021.

Giving evidence on Thursday, forensic pathologist Dr Frances Hollingbury said she had found "14 separate areas of blunt force trauma" to the 73-year-old's face and head.

The court was told "severe force" would have likely been used to cause such injuries.

Mrs Quinn also had cuts and bruises on the back of her arms and hands, which Dr Hollingbury said were likely to be defensive injuries.

On Tuesday, the trial heard Bierton was convicted at Sheffield Crown Court in 1996 for murdering two elderly sisters.

He was recalled to prison in 2018 after being released for the first time.

He was released again on licence in May 2020 and, "following concerns about his association with certain individuals", was offered a bungalow next to Mrs Quinn's rented council property in Worksop, November 2020.

Bierton denies murder but has admitted a charge of theft.

The trial continues.