An elderly sex offender could have survived the stamping injuries he received to his face when he was attacked in his home, a jury was told yesterday.

But as well as the injuries to Arnold Hartley's head, he also suffered further trauma to the neck, which led to his death.

Home Office pathologist Dr Mark Egan told Newcastle Crown Court yesterday how he believed Mr Hartley, who had served a year in prison for sex attacks on children, was probably initially punched in the face, which broke his nose.

There was then a stamping attack, which the doctor said was not necessarily fatal, but the 73-year-old was also asphyxiated by either a foot or his attacker's hands.

Dr Egan told jurors he could not be certain if Mr Hartley received the neck injury first and was then stamped on as he lay dying, or if it happened the other way around.

Adrian Brown, of Station Road, Redcar, east Cleveland, denies murder and causing grievous bodily harm to Mr Hartley, who lived in Queen Street in the town.

The trial continues.