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Troon Avenue murder trial told victims’ DNA and blood found on condom and hammer

The murder trial has been hearing from police forensic experts.
The murder trial has been hearing from police forensic experts.

DNA matching both Dundee killer Andrew Innes and two-year-old Jellica Burke was found on a discarded condom at his home, a jury has heard.

Forensic scientist Barry Mitchell told the murder trial the condom was found in a bin at the Troon Avenue property.

Giving evidence by video link, he said sperm matching 52-year-old Innes was found on the inside of the sheath.

Traces of DNA that were a match for alleged murder victim Jellica were on the outside, Mr Mitchell said.

He said: “This could be explained by some sort of sexual activity between Andrew Innes and Jellica Burke but there may be other explanations.”

Bennylyn Burke pictured with her two-year-old daughter Jellica

Innes is on trial at the High Court in Edinburgh accused of murdering Jellica and her 25-year-old mum Bennylyn at some point between February 20 and March 5.

Their bodies were buried under his kitchen at 21 Troon Avenue, Dundee.

He admits killing the pair but denies murder, claiming he acted with diminished responsibility.

Innes is further accused of abducting, raping and sexually assaulting another child.

He faces allegations of attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

Innes denies all the charges.

Forensic analysis

On the second day of the trial jurors heard, as well as the discarded condom, officers recovered a 1.5kg lump hammer from the kitchen floor.

Mr Mitchell said the hammer had blood stains at the top of the handle, consistent with being in contact with wet blood.

The scientist said the blood was analysed and found to contain DNA matching missing Mrs Burke.

The trial was also told that a pair of fluffy handcuffs was also found in the house.

Troon Avenue on March 11 2021 . Image: Steve Brown / DC Thomson.

They contained DNA matching Innes and the child he is alleged to have abducted and raped.

Saliva was also found on a kilt sock. It contained DNA matching the child, jurors were told.

Under cross-examination by defence advocate Brian McConnachie, Mr Mitchell agreed if Innes had changed Jellica’s nappy or bathed her, he could have later passed her DNA onto the condom.

The trial before judge Lord Beckett continues.

The Troon Avenue trial evidence so far:

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