Daniel Ambler murder trial: Pathologist details injuries and likely cause of death
The pathologist was questioned by both defence and prosecution barristers
The jury in the murder trial surrounding the death of Daniel Ambler have been hearing from the pathologist who examined Daniel’s body after he passed away.
Daniel, who was 23, suffered serious injuries at the Esso Asda Express service station, in Stockton Road, Seaham, at around 4.50pm on January 15 and died at the scene.
Barry Anderson Snr, 52, of Canon Cockin Street, Hendon, Barry Logan Anderson, 19, of Nursery View, Shotton Bank, Tyler Leadbetter, 18, of Elgin Avenue, Seaham, and Ajay Henry, 18, of Melrose Crescent, Seaham, all deny charges of murder and violent disorder.
Ashton Anderson, 20, of Ryton Street, Seaham, denies murder but has pleaded guilty to violent disorder.
The jury were shown images of more than 60 injuries including lacerations, fractures, bruises, abrasions, and internal injuries.
When questioned about Daniel’s injuries, Dr Louise Mulcahy confirmed he suffered deep lacerations to the skull, the loss of teeth, and fractures to his jaw bone, sternum, ribs and vertebrae.
She also confirmed Daniel had suffered bleeding on the brain and internal bleeding.
When questioned about the ultimate cause of Daniel’s death, Dr Mulchay focused on an injury to has neck, including a 120mm by 50mm “ragged opening”.
She said: “The likely cause of Daniel’s death is traumatic injury to his neck. The jugular vein and one of the branches of the carotid artery had been cut and this would result in immediate bleeding.”
The pathologist also confirmed that Daniel’s atlantoaxial joint, positioned between the top of the neck and the skull, had also been damaged.
Dr Mulchay said: “This is the part of the spinal cord which connects to the brain. A loss of alignment can result the spinal cord being squashed which can result in almost immediate death.”
When questioned about the distribution of Daniel’s injuries, Dr Mulchay added: “The distribution was mainly on the front left side of the body in keeping with being impacted by the Nissan X Trail which compressed him against the shelving”
Prosecuting barrister Mr Donkin previously claimed the Nissan car was driven by Ashton Anderson while also alleging that Daniel was initially attacked by Barry Anderson snr and his son Barry Logan Anderson, an attack which initially began on foot at a bus stop.
Dr Mulchay confirmed injuries located on Daniel’s arm could represent injuries from self-defence but could also be explained by being struck by a vehicle.
Paramedics describe the scene as they arrived at the garage
The jury also heard statements from two paramedics who arrived at the scene.
First on the scene was Katie Lafaurie.
In a statement read to the court, she said: “I arrived at 5pm and ran to the patient, whilst my colleague gathered equipment from the ambulance. I saw blood coming from the head area and the patient also had a facial wound.
“The police officers already had defibrillator pads on the patient. We cleared his airways and put our pads on, but there was no pulse and we got no response.”
Specialist critical care paramedic Jack Tordoff had also been deployed to the scene and arrived 11 minutes after Katie.
He said: “When I arrived the patient was not breathing. He also had a wound below the ear and cheekbone which had caused catastrophic bleeding. At 5.35pm the patient was confirmed as deceased.”
The trial continues tomorrow.