Vulnerable Melissa Eastick had more than 100 injuries including cigarette burns, murder jury told
by Rob Kennedy · ChronicleLiveA vulnerable woman suffered more than 100 injuries including cigarette burns, in a series of alleged attacks by her on-off ex partner, a court heard.
Melissa Eastick was found dead in Stephen Todd's home after he rang 999 to say he couldn't wake her up. Prosecutors say he had subjected her to more than one episode of violence and that she would have been unconscious in the days running up to her death.
Todd, 41, denies murdering the 36-year-old, with whom he had been in a "turbulent" on-off relationship, jurors trying him at Newcastle Crown Court heard.
It was just after 7am on October 17 last year when Todd called 999 to say he couldn't wake up Melissa and that she was not breathing in his home in Stockton Terrace, Sunderland. When ambulance workers turned up, he said he had seen her the night before and that she was "alright yesterday".
But Peter Glenser KC, prosecuting, said: "The Crown say that, like a great deal of what he was to say over the days that followed, was a lie. There was no way she was alright the day before.
"It very quickly became apparent that there was very extensive bruising and swelling to Melissa Eastick’s body and face, and that she was very cold to the touch. On examination, it was obvious that she was dead and her life was formally pronounced as extinct at 7:14am that morning.
"As you will hear, it appears that her death was neither quick nor easy. She had sustained more than 100 injuries, probably nearer 123, in the time leading up to her death, comprising a combination of severe bruises, abrasions, and lacerations.
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Mr Glenser said Melissa was a "frail and vulnerable individual with a history of chronic alcohol misuse". He told the jury: "As I say, she had in the days prior to her death incurred a series of consecutive injuries, culminating in the infliction of a brain injury which would have rendered her profoundly unconscious for some days before her death.
"The other injuries identified include facial bruising, fractured ribs, fractured vertebra and cigarette burns to her torso."
Todd denies inflicting any of the injuries and claimed when interviewed by police she had arrived at his home from the home of a previous partner on October 12 or 13 with pre-existing facial injuries.
When he submitted a defence statement in the case in August this year, he said for the first time she had fallen down the stairs. He said she did not lose consciousness and was awake on his sofa on the evening of October 16.
But Mr Glenser said: "The Crown’s case is that Miss Eastick was repeatedly assaulted over a period of some days and that these assaults took place in the defendant’s flat. He, we say, is responsible for her death and that he meant to either kill her or at the very least cause really serious harm and she died as a result of that harm."
The jury were told several CCTV cameras cover the only entrance to the property. Mr Glenser said: "If it is suggested, as it might be, I don't know, that someone else was responsible for the injuries to Miss Eastick, that person would have had to gain access to the flat on several occasions and, coincidentally, leave at exactly the times that the camera footage was lost, or having gained access remain in the flat unnoticed by the defendant and again leave unnoticed at a time where the footage was lost.
"That is because the injuries that she sustained were at different times – separated by days. It would also mean that he did not notice the injuries to Miss Eastick, that she did not mention to him that she had been very seriously assaulted on repeated occasions by some third party. The Crown says this is so unlikely as to be fanciful."
The court heard Todd and Melissa had been in an on-off "turbulent" relationship since 2018 and they both had issues with alcohol. Melissa was last seen alive on October 2, with Todd at Asda. However on October 6 she received a sales call, which was recorded. That was the last "proof of life", the court heard.
The prosecution say it is unlikely she left the flat after October 2. A subsequent search of the flat revealed significant blood staining throughout.
A duvet which was heavily stained with her blood was found bundled up. The blood splatter pattern was such that an expert was able to say that some of the blood had been deposited as she breathed out. She had a significant injury to the inside of her mouth.
When told she was dead, Todd said "I'm gonna get the f****** blame for this" several times, the court heard.
Todd, of Buttermere Street, Sunderland, denies murder. The trial continues.
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