Pathologist says woman’s head injuries were like some people had died from

A pathologist says a woman who survived an alleged hammer attack was struck on the skull at least seven times.

Simon Stables told the High Court at Auckland her injuries were consistent with injuries he had seen in others who had died from them.

Stables was giving evidence for the Crown in its case against five people accused of the kidnapping, assault, sexual violation and attempted murder of a 19-year-old. She was allegedly beaten and dumped on the side of a dirt road in Auckland’s Dome Valley in May last year.

Yesterday Stables, a forensic pathologist, presented a threedimensional scan of the victim’s head, which showed multiple fractures to the woman’s skull. He concluded the woman had been struck at least seven times and said the injuries were consistent with having been inflicted by a claw hammer.

The Crown has produced into evidence a hammer it says was used in the attack.

The defendants have denied the following:

Nicola Jones: Threatening to kill, sexual violation, attempted murder, injuring with intent, assault with a Taser. Julie-ann Torrance: Injuring with intent, assault with a Taser, two counts of assault with scissors, assault with a cricket wicket, sexual violation, attempted murder. Cameron Hakeke: kidnapping, stealing a car, assault with a Taser, assault with scissors. Michelle Blom: Injuring with intent, kidnapping, assault with a cricket wicket, assault with scissors, sexual violation. Wayne Blackett: assault with a cricket wicket, assault with scissors, sexual violation.

The trial continues.