Dando accused will not take stand

Lawyers for Barry George, 48, instead called a forensic scientist who cast doubt on evidence of a fibre allegedly linked to him that was found on her coat.

The Old Bailey heard that the judge is due to sum up in the case next week.

George denies murdering Miss Dando, who was shot on her doorstep in April 1999.

He sat in the dock alongside clinical psychologist Dr Susan Young as his barrister William Clegg QC began the defence case.

Mr Clegg told jurors: "The defendant Barry George will not be giving evidence but the first witness to be called on his behalf is Roger Robson."

Dr Robson, a former Home Office forensic scientist, was asked by Mr Clegg about his review of tests on a pale blue polyester fibre found on Miss Dando's raincoat. He said he did not agree with another scientist's claim that the fibre provided "weak support" for the prosecution case.

Tests comparing it to material from a pair of C&A trousers found at George's address were insufficient to establish whether they matched or did not, he told the court.

Dr Robson said even if he did believe there was a match, he would want also to look at other potential sources of the fibre such as Miss Dando's fiance Alan Farthing or anybody else who had been in contact with the raincoat.

"The fibre could have come from sources other than Mr George's trousers - if the fibre was in fact a match," he said. "It could come from other suits or trousers within Miss Dando's wardrobe or indeed within Mr Farthing's wardrobe. We simply don't know."