Joanna Yeates Trial: Vincent Tabak 'Strangled Jo To Stop Screams'

Tabak 'Strangled Joanna Yeates To Stop Screams'

Vincent Tabak claims he strangled Joanna Yeates for 20 seconds after she screamed when he put his arm around her, a court has been told.Â

Brief extracts from Tabak's defence statement were read out to a jury for the first time as the pathologist who inspected her body was re-examined by the prosecution.

Tabak, who admits manslaughter but denies murder, claims he initially put his hand over her mouth to stop the screams, Nigel Lickley QC told Bristol Crown Court.

The defendant claims to have used "no more than moderate force", Mr Lickley added.

Referring to Tabak's statement, Mr Lickley said: "He removed the hand from the mouth and the screaming continued and then he put the hand around the throat. He believes it was the one from around her back and held it there for about 20 seconds."

In the statement, Tabak claims he "didn't intend death or serious injury", Mr Lickley added.

Mr Lickley asked pathologist Russell Delaney about Tabak's statement that he held Miss Yeates's throat "for about 20 seconds".

Dr Delaney replied: "That period of time would be sufficient to cause the signs of venous obstruction and would be long enough to result in her death."

The statement was referred to after Tabak's QC William Clegg suggested his client used just one hand to strangle her. Dr Delaney said he "cannot exclude the use of one hand" as the claim was made.

Miss Yeates suffered 43 injuries at the hands of Tabak at her flat in Clifton, Bristol, on December 17, Bristol Crown Court has heard.

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