Accused left phone messages

From the Wiltshire Times, first published Monday 30th Jan 2006.

ANSWERPHONE messages left by Michael Clarke for his parents on the day he is accused of murdering them were played to the jury today (Monday).

Three messages were left by Clarke on the answerphone at the family home in Berryfield Park on December 6, 2004.

Clarke, 21, is accused of murdering Milroy, 70, and Joan, 56, who died of multiple wounds caused by a heavy knife. He denies two counts of murder.

The prosecution allege he murdered his parents before travelling to London with friends to watch a rock concert.

One of the messages was left as Clarke left Melksham for London. The second was left when they arrived at Wembley Arena and the third when the concert was over and they were set to leave for home.

In the last of the messages Clarke said: "I will see you in the morning, take care, love you".

The jury also heard from forensic scientist Tony Larkin who said he was "almost 100 per cent confident" footprints found in Clarke's bedroom, using chemical tests, were made after contact with wet blood.

But the tests with a chemical agent are not conclusive evidence alone and results can only show probable' or possible' traces of blood. The traces are invisible to the naked eye.

Mr Larkin said: "It is my opinion that a person with a right foot stained with probable blood has been in Michael Clarke's bedroom."

Clarke's best friend Stuart Painter, 22, of Beanacre Road, Melksham, is jointly standing trial charged with assisting an offender. He denies the charge.

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