A HOME Office pathologist has told a court it is possible Emily Longley was strangled.

Giving evidence at Winchester Crown Court, Dr Huw White said he could not be sure because he found no external or internal injuries on the 17-year-old’s body.

The pathologist said tests found petechiae haemorrhages on the point of Emily’s right eye, in both her eyelids and one on the inner surface of her upper lip.

Dr White said these tiny bleeds are caused by rising blood pressure in the head and common causes include rising pressure in the chest or compression of the neck. When asked about whether Emily may have been asphyxiated, Dr White said: “That’s certainly a possibility but if this were the case the process employed would not require a significant degree of force, would not injure the skin or soft tissue of the neck.

“It must have rapidly incapacitated her since there is no evidence of a struggle.”

He suggested the process involved neck compression rather than suffocation with some soft material.

Dr White told the court the most likely way would be to use a bended arm with the neck in the fold of the arm.

On Monday the court heard the 999 call made by Elliot Turner’s mother Anita in which she described Emily’s necklace as being “very, very tight”.

Dr White said the necklace did not cause Emily’s death.

He said alcohol was present in Emily’s system – 148mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood – less than twice the legal drink drive limit.

The court also heard details about Emily’s extensive medical history which included brittle bone disease, asthma, bulimia and episodes of self-harm.

Dr White said there was “nothing in Emily’s notes” to suggest an underlying health problem could have caused her death.

Under cross examination by Anthony Donne QC, representing Elliot Turner, Dr White said he could not rule out that Emily died from sudden adult death syndrome. The court also heard from forensic expert John Payne-James who said it is possible to exert severe pressure to the neck without leaving any visible marks.

He also reviewed injuries found on Elliot Turner’s body and said he couldn’t say where they came from but said they could be “consistent” with some form of struggle.

A POLICE officer said Elliot Turner was crying with his head in his hands the morning Emily Longley died.

PC Matthew Buller said he arrived at the Turners’ home on the morning of May 7 and spoke to Emily’s boyfriend about what had happened.

Turner said Emily had got upset after he had asked about her self-harming, PC Buller told the court. The officer recalled Turner’s account. “She was kicking and hitting me.

“I pushed her on the neck to get her off.”

Turner later told PC Buller: “I never meant to harm her. I just defended myself.”

The court heard Turner gave no comment during police interviews.

Elliot Turner, 20, is accused of murdering Emily Longley, 17, on May 7 last year at the family home in Queenswood Avenue in Queens Park, Bournemouth.

He is also accused, together with his parents Leigh Turner, 54, and Anita Turner, 51, of perverting the course of justice.

All three deny the charges they face.

The trial continues.