DNA from a man accused of murdering an elderly businessman was found on bath taps at the pensioner’s home in Biddenden.

Mark Love, 38, is currently on trial at Maidstone Crown Court accused of murdering Roy Blackman, who died in his bungalow after being kicked, punched and stamped on.

The pensioner, who suffered at least 64 separate injuries to his body also suffered a traumatic brain injury which alone would have killed him.

Love is alleged to have brutally beaten him to death at his home in March this year. He denies murder.

Burglars who broke into Mr Blackman’s home took a safe containing between £100,000 and £250,000, the court has heard.

The jury was told the raid was carried out by the same gang who launched a violent attack at the home of a champion clay pigeon marksman.

Mr Blackman, 73, who lived in Headcorn Road, had tried to defend himself but suffered black eyes, a broken nose, fractured left cheekbone, severe abrasions, bruises and lacerations to his body and fractures to the base of his skull with bleeding consistent with a severe brain injury.

Love, of Frittenden Road, Staplehurst, is on trial accused of murdering the elderly garage owner and bird breeder in March, and aggravated burglary at the home of George and Kate Digweed in Ewhurst Lane, Northiam, Rye, East Sussex, a month before.

DNA expert, Elaine Tucker, told the jury in her opinion, traces of Love’s DNA had been found on a club hammer found in an orchard as well as other mixed DNA traces from others.

Some of the items found after the raid at the home of the Digweeds including a Taser had Love’s DNA on it and after testing it was found had been wiped off by someone else.

Forensic scientist Finlay James Kennedy also told the jury the bath taps at Mr Blackman’s home had also been tested and results showed there was mixed DNA found on them there from three different people, plus Mr Blackman’s

Simon Taylor prosecuting ask him if the taps at Mr Blackman’s home were swabbed.

Mr Kennedy said: “Yes, there was mixed DNA profiles from at least three different people.

Mr Taylor added: “There is blood on the hot tap and it was a major DNA profile match to Mark Love?

Mr Kennedy added: “Yes.”

Mr Taylor went on to explain to the jury there was a one in a billion chance it was someone else’s blood.

Mr Kennedy also said there was also DNA found on the cold tap.

Mr Taylor said: “Had Mark Love had direct contact with the taps at some time.

Yes.” Replied Mr Kennedy.

Prosecutor Simon Taylor has previously told the jury also alleged that another man, William Smith – who was later shot dead by police – was part of the gang involved in both offences.

The court has heard DNA from Smith, who was 36 and from Golford near Cranbrook, was found at the scene of both crimes.