Family's fears triggered discovery of pensioner Cynthia Beamond's body, murder trial hears

The family of 80-year-old widow Cynthia Beamond had been unable to contact her by phone and had sent one of her neighbours in Juliet Road, Halesowen, to try and summon her, but there was no sign of the pensioner at her home, the jury was told.

Stephen Linehan QC, prosecuting, read a statement from Beverley Hadley, Mrs Beamond's daughter, at Wolverhampton Crown Court in which she said the neighbour had found the curtains drawn, but her mum never pulled them to.

She said: "My neighbour called the police to report mum missing because it was so out of character for her not to be at home and not to answer her calls and texts.

"She also told me all the curtains and blinds were pulled in the house, but mum can't reach the blinds in the kitchen and never closed the dining room curtains."

Leo Barnes, aged 33, of Runcorn Road, Balsall Heath, Birmingham is accused of killing Mrs Beamond with a saucepan at her home on June 27, before allegedly murdering 67-year-old Philip Silverstone with a car jack at his Belsize Park home the following day.

The court heard evidence from pathologist Dr Nicholas Hunt, who revealed the severity of Mrs Beamond's injuries, which included fractures to the base of the skull, the left cheekbone and temple and the top of the head, while blood had also got into her airways, adding that she had died as a result of the multiple head injuries, which appeared to have been caused by a 'blunt object'.

She also sustained bruising to the head and face, as well as to the left side of her chest and collar bone, while the lower part of her back had also been bruised, which could have been consistent with a fall, Dr Hunt said, adding it was possible she could have survived for 35 minutes after the injuries were inflicted, though she was likely to have been unconscious.

Catherine King, a forensic scientist with the Met Police, said she had carried out the investigation into the death of Mr Silverstone and had found Barnes' fingerprint in a blood stain on the inside wall of his home.

She also revealed analysis of other blood stains around the home had contained Mr Silverstone's DNA.

Mrs Hadley also revealed her mother had been friendly with Barnes' mother Susan, who used to live near her many years ago.

However, Barnes mother died when he was little and he went to live with his grandparents, though he remained familiar to Mrs Beamond and visited her when he was in his 20s.

Barnes denies two counts of murder claiming that someone else carried out the killings. He refused to answer any questions, but told police that he went to see Mr Silverstone to buy DVDs and alleged his wife had attacked him.

The trial continues.