Preston murder trial jury is told of catalogue of Steven May's injuries, including fractures, bruises and abrasions

A Home Office pathologist has described finding several injuries found on the body of a man allegedly murdered by his lodger.
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Dr Alison Armour was giving evidence at the trial of Darren Taylor, 45, who denies murdering Steven May, 50, at the home they shared on Raven Street, Preston, last May.

It is alleged Mr May, who was alcohol dependent and epileptic, was the victim of several sustained, violent assaults in the last 12 weeks of his life.

Medics found 78 rib fractures, but no alcohol in his body.

Crown CourtCrown Court
Crown Court
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His family watched proceedings from the gallery as Dr Armour described bruising on lower left cheek, chin and jaw, extending downwards onto his neck, which measured 19cm by 8cm.

She said when she felt his jaw she could feel Mr May had suffered two separate displaced fractures to his jaw.

She described a purple bruise on the lining of his lip, and a split wound to his lower lip. She told jurors such wounds were usually the result of “blunt impact trauma”.

An internal examination of his face revealed extensive bruising to his left cheek and jaw, and that one fracture had produced a free floating segment of bone, which led to significant bleeding.

Steven MaySteven May
Steven May

It also showed deep bruising under his forehead and scalp.

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Dr Armour said: “It was clear when I carried out the first autopsy that there were multiple rib fractures. Even just to the eye these fractures appeared to be of different ages.”

Another expert concluded 76 rib injuries were less than 12 weeks old.

(proceeding)