Detectives investigating the killing of a family of four staged a reconstruction of the murder method, a jury has heard.

Police invited a martial arts to attack four mannequins representing Mandy Power, her mother Doris Dawson and her daughters Katie and Emily.

They were murdered at their Clydach home three years ago in what has been described as a "massacre."

Black belt Alison Lewis was released by police

Scrap dealer David Morris, 40, from nearby Craig-cefn-parc, denies killing four counts of murder.

South Wales Police had earlier brought the martial arts man to their Bridgend headquarters and armed him with a bo, a long wooden rod.

Dummies hit

He then hit the dummies in the way the defence argues the killer attacked the family at 9 Kelvin Road in June 1999.

Barristers acting for Mr Morris argue the attack suggested a proficient martial artist such as Ms Power's girlfriend Alison Lewis was involved.

A karate black belt, she had been arrested early in the case, but later released.

But Home Office pathologist Dr Deryk James, who witnessed the display, told Swansea Crown Court the demonstration proved inconclusive.

He said the injuries suffered by the four could have been inflicted by someone without karate experience.

The expert inflicted blows to all parts of the mannequins' bodies whereas the real killer caused clusters of injuries to the same spots, he said.

Dr James said Mandy Power was struck at least 15 times and was already dead when the house was set ablaze.

Mr Morris denies the charges and the trial continues.