NEARLY 40 images showing Lisa-Marie Thornton with multiple stab wounds were found on a mobile phone belonging to Owen Pellow, who is accused of her murder, a court has heard.

It was revealed in court today (May 23) by prosecution barrister, Edward Burgess, that 37 still images and one video clip taken moments before police arrived were discovered by police when they examined Pellow's phone. 

DC Richard Warren told the court the images and video showed Ms Thornton, of Berrow Road, Burnham-on-Sea, lying motionless on a mattress in a bedroom at Pellow's home, in Berrow Road.

Yesterday (May 22), a pathologist told the court Ms Thornton had sustained 39 knife wounds to chest, neck and back, which caused her death on November 23 last year. 

Pellow, 42, is on trial for her murder at Bristol Crown Court - a charge he denies. 


READ MORE: MURDER TRIAL DAY 2: Lisa-Marie's injuries were 'not self-inflicted', court told 


The court heard Ms Thornton and Pellow had a 'volatile' relationship and a number of police calls had been made about verbal and physical abuse since their relationship started in 2015. 

DC Warren also read transcripts from four police interviews with Pellow on November 23, and 24 in which Pellow insisted he didn't kill Ms Thornton.

He said: "I didn't murder my Lisa. 

"She stabbed herself. I wanted to save her life."

Pellow said he held Ms Thornton, told her he loved her and looked into her eyes as she stopped breathing.

"It was beautiful and horrible and it is an image I am never going to forget," he said.


READ MORE: MURDER TRIAL DAY 1: Murder accused tells court victim 'done herself in'


The court heard forensic biologist, Stephen Harrington, examined a number of objects which were found at the scene, including a knife, a blue hand towel, Ms Thornton's cardigan and items of clothing belonging to Pellow.

Mr Harrington told the jury there was heavy blood staining on the blade of the knife and blood spots found at the hearth of the blade which he said would have occured as a result of a multiple stabbing.

The DNA of Lisa Marie Thornton and Pellow were found on the knife but the forensic biologist said he could not say who used the knife to cause Ms Thornton's injuries. 

Mr Harrington also said heavy contact blood stains were found on the neck and collar bone of Ms Thornton's cardigan, so much so that it had become 'saturated'.

Nine cuts were also found near the right chest area of the cardigan, which Mr Harrington said were consistent with stab cuts made with the knife.

Mr Burgess, added: "Given the heavy nature of the blood stains, the cardigan cannot be presented to the jury as it is now a health hazard."

The prosecution then called mental health nurse, Andrea Warren to the stand. 

The court heard that Ms Warren saw Pellow on December 7 last year and sat down and spoke to him while she was giving him some pain medication. 

Ms Warren said Pellow was 'emotional' after seeing his lawyer, who had shown him the pathology report and said the defendant appeared concerned to discover Ms Thornton had stab wounds in her back. 

She told the court: "He said he had been having dreams about stabbing her in the back and therefore he must have carried out her wishes. 

"He said he must have stabbed her after she killed herself and she always wanted them to go together."

The court heard Pellow then put his hand up into a fist in the air and mimicked stabbing. 

Ms Warren asked the defendant if he had any injures and he said an mark on his wrist. 

But when she examined Pellow there were no marks to be seen. 

The trial continues.