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Expert witness disputes CCTV evidence in manslaughter trial

Forensic scientist Benedict Spencer, told a jury yesterday that his analysis of CCTV footage taken in Melksham town centre on the night Adrian Cooksey died, proved that accused Thomas Minshull could have been much further down the road and out of sight when the fatal blow was delivered.

Mr Spencer who analysed the footage on behalf of the defence, also staged a reconstruction of the route Minshull, and his friend Jamie Bristow might have taken home.

The two were captured on various CCTV cameras in Melksham, Wiltshire on March 8, walking down the High Street then crossing over the taxi rank, in front of the town hall.

There is then a 70 second gap before an image showing three unidentified figures in Spa Road; two on the left, which the Crown alleges are Minshull and Mr Cooksey and one on the right which the Crown alleges is Mr Bristow.

There is then a two minute, two second gap while the camera pans away, before Mr Cooksey's body is seen lying on the ground in Spa Road.

The reconstruction shown in court, shows them take the same route and then walk up Spa Road staying on the right hand side. It was recorded on the same town hall CCTV system that was used on March 8. It showed they were out of shot by the time the camera came back to the same spot 70 seconds later. The trial continues.

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