A MURDER trial jury has been told that “if there is a possibility there is DNA from more than one person, then it is a probability it has got there from contamination”.

The claim was made by Abbas Lakha QC, representing murder accused Raymond Kay, as he implored the jury at Bradford Crown Court to find his client not guilty of murdering Wibsey pensioner Amy Shepherd almost 25 years ago.

Kay, 70, of Baker Fold, Halifax, denies murdering 86-year-old Ms Shepherd in her sheltered accommodation in Folly Hall Gardens, Wibsey, on August 2, 1994.

Earlier yesterday, in his closing statement, prosecutor Richard Wright QC outlined his case.

“The man responsible has evaded capture for nigh on 25 years,” he said.

“Ms Shepherd, The Duchess, must have just got back to her flat when her killer knocked at the door.

“Something made her confident she could admit her killer into her house, he was trusted.

“She was a vulnerable old lady targeted for her kind and trusting disposition.

“He used a tea towel to strangle her and sexually assaulted her. This wasn’t sexually motivated, it was an act of violence, and when she was already dying he drove the knife into her throat.

“The killer is Raymond Kay, he knew where she lived and has visited her a number of times.

“He had no alibi. He matched descriptions from witnesses. His DNA was found on the tea towel. His hair was found on her neck at the site the killer came into contact with.

“Swabs taken from inside and outside Ms Shepherd’s genitals also had Kay’s DNA. The three principle sites the killer had contact with returned four findings consistent with Raymond Kay.

“He attacked her, sexually assaulted her, and then killed her. There is simply nothing to explain these findings other than that this is the DNA of the killer.

“When he was arrested he was as cool as a cucumber, like a man who had been expecting this call for almost 25 years.”

Mr Lakha’s closing statement contested the DNA findings.

He said: “The more forceful the contact, the more DNA is exchanged.

“You could not imagine a more extensive or invasive attack than this one.

“Then why is it, despite this prolonged and violent episode, the limited matches to Mr Kay’s DNA are so minute, only the very sensitive tests now available could discover the chance it could be there?

“Other men’s DNA was found on the genital swab, you cannot say where the DNA on the swab was picked up.

“If there is a possibility there is DNA from more than one person, then it is a probability it has got there from contamination. It is possible the hair on her neck got there by her falling on the floor.”

The trial continues.