Murdered dog walker Peter Wrighton suffered up to 45 knife wounds during a 'rapid attack' in a Norfolk woodland, a court today heard.

The 83-year-old, from Banham, was stabbed in the back of his head, throat and left eye while walking in an area known as the Heath in East Harling on August 5 last year.

Alexander Palmer, 24 of Freesia Way, Cringleford, is on trial accused of his murder.

Giving evidence at Nottingham Crown Court this morning, home office pathologist Dr Virginia Fitzpatrick-Swallow said the fatal wound was caused by Mr Wrighton's neck being cut open.

She said the wound to his neck was delivered with 'significant force' and that his carotid artery, which supplies blood to the brain, was 'almost completely cut through.'

Discs between his vertebrae, at the back of his neck, were also cut, she said.

He suffered a further 22 non-fatal incisions to his arms and hands, which were described as being 'defensive wounds'.

Dr Fitzpatrick-Swallow said the injuries could have been caused by a single-edged sharp object, such as a kitchen knife.

When asked whether they could have been inflicted by the weapon shown in a photograph to members of the jury, she said: 'This knife would have been capable of inflicting those injuries.'

Palmer, who wore a dark suit and was flanked by four security guards in the docks, denies murder.

The trial continues.