THE court has heard there was a “one in a billion chance” that the DNA profiles found on the bodies of three of the sex workers matched someone other than Steve Wright.

Danielle Nuttall

THE court has heard there was a “one in a billion chance” that the DNA found on the bodies of three of the sex workers matched someone other than Steve Wright.

DNA discovered on Anneli Alderton's body must have been deposited after she last washed or bathed, DNA profiling expert Dr Peter Hau told the court.

Miss Alderton, 24, was last seen on CCTV footage on a train on Sunday, December 3, 2006. Her naked body was spotted by a passing motorist in woodland at Nacton on Sunday, December 10.

Dr Peter Hau told the jury yesterday a full DNA profile matching Wright was discovered on a swab of Miss Alderton's right nipple and breast.

He said the chance of the DNA originating from someone other than and unrelated to Wright was “one in a billion”.

A mixture of DNA from three or more people was also present on Miss Alderton's thighs which Wright, Miss Alderton and her boyfriend Sam Jefford could have contributed to, Dr Hau told the court.

A mixture of DNA from Miss Alderton, Mr Jefford and low-level DNA from another individual was found on the external area of the pubic region while vaginal swabs indicated a mixed DNA profile matching Miss Alderton and Mr Jefford.

Dr Hau told the court there would have originally been more DNA on Miss Alderton's body than what was detected after it had been exposed to the wind and rain.

He said the findings indicated Wright had been in “close contact” with Miss Alderton and his DNA “must have been deposited since she last washed or bathed.”

Experts discovered DNA from “top to toe” on the body of Annette Nicholls, the court heard.

Dr Peter Hau told the jury yesterday that DNA linking the defendant to the victim was likely to have come from “prolonged physical contact” and not “casual contact”.

The court was told a mixed partial DNA profile was discovered on the left side of Miss Nicholls' face which matched the victim and Wright. There was also low level DNA from another person.

There was a mixed partial profile on her left neck which matched Wright and a mixed DNA profile on her left nipple and breast, some of the components of which matched Wright.

A mixed DNA profile matching Miss Nicholls and an unknown male was discovered on her left wrist while a mixed DNA profile matching Wright was discovered on the pubic area of her body.

The court also heard a full DNA profile matching the defendant was discovered on her inner left thigh and the chance of the DNA coming from someone other than or unrelated to Wright was “one in a billion”.

A mixed DNA profile matching Wright and Miss Nicholls was also discovered on her right ankle, the right side of her neck, right nipple and breast, outer right upper arm and inner right upper arm.

Dr Hau told the court: “The DNA was extensive, from top to toe really. The DNA must have come from a body fluid that is DNA rich and also was first deposited when wet.

“In my opinion there must have been some form of close physical contact between Mr Wright and Miss Nicholls.”

Dr Hau said Wright's DNA profile was also found on the naked body of Paula Clennell.

He said a mixed DNA profile matching both Miss Clennell and Wright was discovered on a swab of her left nipple and breast, a partial DNA profile matching Wright was found on her left wrist, and a mixed DNA profile matching the defendant, the victim and another person was found on her left thigh.

Dr Hau told the court a full DNA profile was obtained from her left ankle which matched Wright and he said the probability of the DNA coming from somebody other than and unrelated to the defendant as “one in a billion”.

He told the jury a swab of her left nipple and breast revealed a full DNA profile matching Wright while a mixed DNA profile matching Wright, Miss Clennell and another individual was found on her inner upper right arm.

A mixed DNA profile matching the defendant and Miss Clennell was discovered on her right thigh, the court heard.

Dr Hau told the court that he believed DNA matches showed that “there must have been some form of physical close contact between Wright and Ms Clennell”.

Forklift truck driver Wright, 49, of London Road, Ipswich, denies murdering Tania Nicol, 19, Paula Clennell, 24, Anneli Alderton, 24, Gemma Adams, 25, and Annette Nicholls, 29, between October 29 and December 13, 2006.

The trial continues.