BLAZE victim Victoria Barker died after being dumped on a fire, a murder jury has heard.

Prosecutors say Miss Barker, 30, was found kneeling over the remains of the sofa at her home in County Durham after a fire was deliberately started by John Collings, 46.

Forensic consultant Roy Cook yesterday ruled out a suggestion that she was already in that position when the blaze took hold, because of burns on her knees.

Mr Cook told Newcastle Crown Court: "Normally, if parts of the body are in contact with the floor, they are protected from general fire damage because there is no opportunity for fire to creep underneath.

"It would suggest she came down on top of materials that were already on fire, not that she was kneeling when the fire spread to her."

The court had heard how the couple's violent relationship had been jaded with alcohol problems and suicide attempts on both sides.

It was told that the troubled relationship was brought to a dramatic climax with a fire at the home they shared on August 12, 2000.

Toby Hedworth, prosecuting, said Mr Collings set a cushion alight, and the fire then spread to the sofa.

He placed the severely intoxicated Miss Barker in a kneeling position on the floor and put her body and face into the flames on the settee.

The court was told that Mr Collings and a police officer at the scene made efforts to rescue Miss Barker, but were beaten back by smoke.

Mr Collings, who was living at Dean Street, Hexham, Northumberland, at the time of his arrest, denies murder.

The trial continues.