The jury trying a plasterer accused of murdering a
The jury trying a plasterer accused of murdering a barmaid 18 years ago today (Tues) heard how the accused killer was linked to her fingernails.
Anthony Ruark, 41, had maintained he did not see victim Jacqueline Poole, 25, on the night she was sexually assaulted and throttled in her west London flat.
But forensic experts who used the latest scientific testing to re-examine samples taken from the scene, told of the ‘extremely strong’ scientific support for the Crown’s case against the accused killer.
The court has head how the nightclub barmaid desperately tried to loosen the ligature wrapped around her neck and possibly scratched her attacker’s hands.
Clippings of her fingernails were tested 18 years ago but failed to provide any clues.
Last year, scientist Nick Boyle re-examined the fragments left under Mrs Poole’s fingernails, jurors heard today (TUES).
He also looked at splashes of blood found on the woman’s jumper and fluids found in her underwear.
Prosecutor William Boyce, QC, asked Mr Boyle: ‘Is there extremely strong scientific support that fragments under Mrs Poole’s fingernails, the blood on her jumper and the fluid in her knickers originally came from Mr Ruark rather than someone else.
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The expert replied ‘yes.
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Bride-to-be Mrs Poole was strangled in her flat at Lakeside Close, Ruislip on February 11, 1983, the prosecution claim.
She was found two days later face down in her lounge with her jeans and knickers around her knees, the court has heard.
Ruark, a plasterer now living in the West Country, was arrested and quizzed days later but was released without charge through lack of evidence.
When he was re-arrested last year he changed his story and claimed he had seen Mrs Poole that evening.
He said he had ‘sexual relations’ with her before leaving to meet his girlfriend.
Earlier today, jurors heard evidence from forensic expert Dr James Fraser who examined the underwear worn by Mrs Poole.
He claimed that the killing and the sexual encounter must have happened just moments apart.
Dr Fraser said there was no transfer of the fluid from her knickers to her crotch area meaning her underwear was never pulled up again.
Ruark, of Hanstone Close, Cirencester, Gloucestershire, denies murder.
Mrs Poole, who last worked at Whispers Nightclub in Chesham, Bucks, was due to marry Lee George jnr.
She was born Jacqueline Hunt in Slough.
The trial continues.
ends
