BLACKHEATH: Gay pensioner was hit with 'severe force' (From News Shopper)

BLACKHEATH: Gay pensioner was hit with 'severe force'

3:24pm Friday 15th January 2010 in

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PENSIONER Edward Highwood was struck with “severe force” according to the doctor who carried out the post-mortem examination.

Speaking at the Old Bailey murder trial of homeless Polish immigrant Marcin Orlowski, the pathologist described the 79-year-old victim's injuries.

Dr Nathaniel Carey said: “Looking at the bones and the muscles and looking to see how deep the injuries go then I would say there was a substantial force.”

He added: “Sometimes you see defensive injuries to people. Injuries on hands and arms where the victim has put his hands up to protect himself.

“There were no injuries of this kind. If you are sufficiently struck by the first blow you may not have the opportunity to defend yourself.”

Judge John Milford then asked the doctor whether he would describe the force used as mild, moderate or severe.

Dr Carey replied: “Severe.”

Mr Highwood was killed at his Blackheath home in Hollymount Close on July 17 last year.

He died from severe head and facial injuries which included a fractured skull, cheekbone, jaw and eye-socket.

Orlowski, aged 20, denies murdering the gay pensioner and claims his responsibility for the killing was “substantially impaired” by his chronic alcoholism.

He also says he was provoked into hitting Mr Highwood with a glass vase because of his unwanted sexual advances.

The trial continues.