Tabak trial hears Jo Yeates had 43 injuries

Vincent Tabak, the man accused of murdering Miss Yeates was said to have used his height and build to overpower the 25-year-old’s 5ft 4in frame.

She fought for her life for some time as Tabak nned her to the floor by her wrists, Nigel Lickley QC, for the Crown, told Bristol Crown Court.

“There was a violent struggle by Miss Yeates to survive,” he said.

“He might have let go but he did not. He knew that Miss Yeates was in pain but struggling to breathe.”

The jury has heard that tests showed her body had 43 separate injuries. Tabak, 33, has admitted manslaughter but denies murder.

David and Theresa Yeates had listened to the prosecution open their case against Vincent Tabak at Bristol Crown Court, writes Channel 4 News Home Affairs Correspondent Andy Davies. Today they were absent from court as Nigel Lickley QC continued to give graphic details of how it’s alleged Vincent Tabak murdered their daughter.

The defendant, dressed in a navy suit and tie, bespectacled, listened quietly throughout the proceedings.

As yesterday, he occasionally placed his head in his hands, but he took more notes today, writing in an A4-sized note pad beside his case files. Those in the court sat in silence once again as the prosecution gave its account of Ms Yeates’s last moments, the alleged “violent struggle”, and details of the 43 injuries sustained as a result.

For the first time today we heard of the moment when it’s claimed Vincent Tabak confessed to the killing, telling a prison chaplain in February, allegedly, that he was sorry for what he’d done. This in contrast to his earlier police statements denying any involvement. So why did Vincent Tabak kill Joanna Yeates? During their two-day summary of the case, at no stage did the prosecution suggest a possible motive.

The first witnesses in this case are expected to be called to give evidence on Thursday.

For regular updates on the Vincent Tabak trial, follow Andy Davies on Twitter