Screams heard on night of alleged 1967 rape and murder, Bristol jury told

Neighbours of a Bristol woman who was allegedly raped and murdered in her home almost 60 years ago told police they heard screams and moans on the night of her death, a jury heard.

- Steven Morris

However, they said they had not thought the noises were coming from the house of 75-year-old Louisa Dunne and had gone back to sleep, the court was told.

Fifty-eight years after Dunne's death, Ryland Headley, 92, is standing trial for her rape and murder after advances in DNA allegedly established a link between him and the crime. He denies the offences.

On day two of his trial at Bristol crown court, the statements neighbours gave to police in the summer of 1967 were read out. The jury was told the witnesses were all "dead or presumed dead" - so their only possible testimony was their statements.

Alice Clarke, the first witness whose evidence was read, described Dunne as her "best friend" and told how she had been married to a "leading light in the Labour party", Edward Parker, who had died by 1967.