Fatal attack caused 'car crash' facial injuries

An attack which killed a woman caused facial injuries normally seen in high-speed road traffic collisions, a court has heard.

Home Office pathologist Brian Rodgers said 69-year-old Catherine Flynn suffered catastrophic facial injuries which indicate massive force when she was attacked at her home in Cefndy Road, Rhyl, Denbighshire, in October 2024.

Giving evidence at Caernarfon Crown Court, Dr Rodgers said Mrs Flynn, described as 4ft 10in and less than eight stone in weight, died as a result of severe and blunt head, face and neck injuries.

Dean Mears, 34, from Kinmel Bay, Conwy county, admits the manslaughter of Mrs Flynn but denies murder.