A man was accused of murder after his palm and fingerprints were found on an oven close to the victim’s body in his flat, a court heard.

Paul Campbell claimed he had never been to the Chatham home of grandfather Steve Berry, who was a heavy drinker, in poor health and vulnerable.

But the palm and fingerprint evidence pointed overwhelmingly to 30-year-old Campbell’s involvement in the killing, it was alleged.

Maidstone Crown Court was told that despite Mr Berry’s unkempt appearance and untidy flat he was “reasonably wealthy”.

Prosecutor Richard Jory QC said Mr Berry had been living alone in his ground floor flat in Kinross Close, Princes Park, for about 18 months before the “fatal assault” between July 10 and 12.

Neighbour Graham Fitzgerald alerted the emergency services on Sunday July 12 and was originally treated as a suspect.

Mr Berry had not been seen for two days and Mr Fitzgerald became concerned about the strong and unpleasant smell coming from the flat.

“He entered the flat and saw the body of Mr Berry on the kitchen floor,” said Mr Jory.

There were no witnesses to what had taken place and the initial suspicion fell on Mr Fitzgerald, but within a matter of days, when forensic evidence was obtained, the suspicion moved elsewhere.

Mr Jory said by Campbell’s own admission it was apparent he lied in police interviews about where he was between July 10 and 12.

But the palm and fingerprints pointed overwhelmingly to his involvement in the murder, he said.

Mr Jory said “distinct and clear” palm prints were found low down on the door of the oven just under 2ft from the floor and next to where the lifeless body was discovered.

Mr Berry’s daughter-in-law had previously cleaned the front of the oven.

“It follows, therefore, that those impressions, which it seems no doubt belonged to the defendant, must have been made while the oven was installed in the kitchen,” said the QC.

The fingerprints were examined and when compared with Campbell’s they were “a perfect match”.

“That means, if all that is correct, the defendant obviously was in the flat, and he was what’s more in a position very close to where the lifeless body of Mr Berry was discovered.”

Because of the findings, Campbell, who worked at Auto Renovations in Hoo, was arrested about two weeks later on July 26.

When interviewed, he denied knowing Mr Berry or ever being in the flat. His account changed when new evidence was put to him.

“He could think of no explanation as to how his fingerprints could be on the door of the oven,” said Mr Jory.

“The Crown say the only explanation is the obvious one - that he was there and involved in the murder of Mr Berry.

“The question is: Was this defendant involved in that murderous attack?”

The jury heard Mr Berry was found face up with his head towards the bottom of the fridge.

There was a large amount of blood and blood spatters around units and on the walls.

The prosecutor said the cause of death was a combination of haemorrhage and head injury from “multiple blunt impacts” and penetrating knife injuries to his head and face.

Mr Berry suffered severe head injuries including a fractured skull and brain damage. There were stab wounds to the upper chest and defensive injuries to both hands.

“It appeared he had been violently attacked,” said Mr Jory. “It cannot be said if it was just by one person as there were no witnesses, but at least two different weapons were used.”

The pathologist concluded that food tins, a Stanley knife or the broken handle of a milk pan could have been used as weapons.

Mr Berry could have been sitting or lying on the floor while his attacker was either leaning down over him or low down.

“It is possible, looking at the hand print, that his hand was either placed on the oven door to steady their self or to assist in raising their self from the ground after the attack was completed,” said Mr Jory.

The oven was bought from a furniture store in Medway which had no record of employing Campbell.

Campbell, of Farley Close, Chatham, denies murder.

The trial continues.