AN expert witness at the trial of Kinver murder accused John Broadhurst said that he would have rushed to treat a patient surgically if they suffered the same injuries as Natalie Connolly.

Defence expert witness Dr Nicholas Morris, a gynaecological consultant, told Birmingham Crown Court: “I would have got straight into theatre and placed her under anaesthetic, with the luxury of working in a hospital.”

Broadhurst, aged 40, a millionaire property tycoon from Wolverley, is accused of murdering Natalie Connolly, aged 26, at their home at Kenrose Mill in Kinver in the early hours of December 18 2016.

He denies murdering the mother-of-one and causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

The trial has been told Ms Connolly and Broadhurst had engaged in unusual sexual practices involving a bottle of carpet cleaner.

The court heard the bottle caused her both internal and external injuries.

Dr Morris said there was no evidence to suggest the bottle was used against her will.

He said: “I think the defendant went off to think about what he was going to do. I don’t think there was evidence to say there was a struggle.”

The expert witness also explained that he did not think the evidence showed Ms Connolly suffered substantial blood loss to cause her death.

He said looking at the evidence, he did not understand what caused ‘a woman of 26 to succumb so quickly’.

He explained: “I do not think from evidence of the photo or post mortem and particularly from the carpet that she died from uncontrollable haemorrhage that was significant.”

The trial earlier heard how Ms Connolly suffered more than 40 injuries and died from alcohol intoxication and blunt force injuries.

She was discovered at the bottom of the stairs on the morning of December 18 and was quickly pronounced dead by paramedics.

The couple had spent the previous day drinking heavily after watching West Bromwich Albion. Ms Connolly had also taken two grams of cocaine, amphetamine and poppers, the court heard.

The trial continues.