A PATHOLOGIST has said he cannot rule out the possibility more than one weapon was used to kill Natalie Jarvis in Swanley Village.

Home Office pathologist Peter Jerreat told jurors at Maidstone Crown Court this morning how Miss Jarvis was subjected to "a very severe attack from a bladed weapon" on the night of October 3 last year.

She suffered wounds to her chest, arms, wrist, face and hands.

Giving detail about each of the 24 stab wounds and incisions found on the body of Miss Jarvis, Dr Jerreat - a pathologist of 36 years - said the deepest wound was 11cm deep.

He told jurors: "It is not possible to exclude more than one weapon causing multiple injuries.

"The deepest wound was 11cm deep so the blade was probably of this length.

"But it could have been caused by a 9cm long blade if the knife was pushed in."

Dr Jerreat, who has carried out more than 40,000 post-mortem examinations during his career, added: "It is impossible to be precise of the dimension of the weapon and impossible to tell what type of knife caused this.

"There are a number of wounds that are small but there are equally some 2cm x 2.5cm wounds which suggest the blade could have been as wide as that.

"But it is possible that the blade was smaller."

Defendants Adam Whelehan and Thomas Fuller sat with their heads bowed in the dock as the injuries sustained by Miss Jarvis were listed.

The court was also told how Miss Jarvis had "defence type wounds" to her hands.

Dr Jerreat said these could have been caused by an "attempt to grasp the knife by hand or to fend off the attack."

Whelehan has admitted killing Miss Jarvis - whom he had been seeing since the summer - in "lawful self defence".

The pathologist described the force used as "moderate or greater" and said the injuries were consistent with a "firm punching type action."

A toxicology report discussed in court said Miss Jarvis was healthy at the time of her death and had not consumed any alcohol or drugs in the hours before she was attacked.

She was also not pregnant.

Considering the injuries sustained by Whelehan during the incident, Dr Jerreat said it was "not surprising if the defendant injured himself."

When Whelehan handed himself in at Bexleyheath police station at 3am on October 4, he had several cuts to his hands.

Dr Jerreat said: "I consider that the injuries to the right hand are caused by a knife.

"There are four possible causes - an attempt to grasp a knife while being attacked by a knife.

"By injuring oneself while involved in a knife attack and while repeatedly thrusting a knife into the victim or whilst involved in a struggle while involved in a knife attack.

"Or by deliberate self-infliction to give the impression of being attacked by a knife."

The knife used to kill Miss Jarvis has never been found.

The prosecution alleges Whelehan, aged 23, of Roseberry Drive, Sidcup, murdered his girlfriend Miss Jarvis because he "wanted out of the relationship and the only way out he could see was to kill her".

It is also alleged Fuller, of Oakley Drive, Eltham, also 23, was the "getaway driver".

The court has heard Whelehan picked up Miss Jarvis from her home with friend Fuller hiding in the boot of his car at about 10.30pm on October 3 last year.

He drove to a country lane car park in Swanley Village before getting out with Miss Jarvis about 10.50pm and "by the time he returned to the car, then driven by Fuller, she lay dead".

Fuller and Whelehan both deny murder.

The trial continues.