‘The burns to the neck are quite clearly non-accidental. Their infliction would have been excruciatingly painful. There were five different sites and this would have required five different applications. When the body was found, it had been violently deposited in the bin and I initially thought that the limbs and back might have been fractured during this exercise.’

‘What changed your mind?’

‘The deceased had exsanguinated.’

‘Meaning?’

‘There was virtually no blood left in his body. It was clear from the locus that, although there were a few blood spots leading from the pavement to where the body was found, putting it simply, there was not enough blood. I have no doubt that he was assaulted and killed elsewhere. Since death would have been very rapid, I am quite satisfied that he was dead when he was put in the bin. When we dissected his back there was no reaction, no blood in the tissues surrounding the fracture. This was caused after death. However, there was extensive bleeding into the tissues surrounding the broken arms and legs and bleeding around the edges of the broken bones. He was very much alive when he sustained these injuries.’

‘How do you think they may have been caused?’

‘I find that a more difficult question to answer. The fractures are remarkably clean and above each site there is surface bruising as well as bruising into the tissues themselves. I think that his arms and legs were securely held or braced in some way and he was struck with a heavy object such as a hammer.’

‘What degree of force would have been involved?’

‘On a scale of mild, moderate and severe, I would say very severe force. These were acts of considerable brutality. Taking everything into account, I have seldom seen anyone so badly beaten before they were killed.’

‘Finally, can you tell me whether one person, acting alone, was capable of inflicting the injuries on Mr Clark?’

‘I suppose it could be said that most things are possible, but I find it very difficult to conceive that one person could have caused all this damage. Bear in mind that his hands and feet had been bound at some point and presumably he would have offered some resistance. More importantly, I believe that his arms and legs were supported while they were broken. I am quite satisfied it would require at least two people to carry this out.’

‘Two people at least?’

‘At least…in my opinion.’