New evidence heard in Sarah Groves trial for first time since 2015

New evidence has been heard in the Sarah Groves trial for the first time since September 2015.

The 24-year-old Guernsey woman was fatally stabbed on a houseboat in Kashmir in April 2013.

Dutchman Richard de Wit is charged with her murder, but so far less than half the summoned witnesses have given evidence in court.

Today’s hearing was the first time evidence has been heard since 29th September 2015.

In this time 37 hearings took place, none of which heard evidence.

Dr Manzoor-ul-Haq, a member of the medical team that conducted the post mortem on Sarah, took to the witness stand.

He confirmed that Sarah Groves had suffered as many as 45 stab wounds.

A detailed copy of the doctors’ report was submitted to the court.

The police added to that report that Richard de Wit had purchased a knife identical to the one allegedly used in the attack just two days beforehand.

Despite all efforts to secure legal representation for the defendant, it appears that none was present in court today.

The defendant was granted the court’s permission to cross-examine the witness himself - in a departure from previous protocol,

He challenged the autopsy report and reiterated that ‘he was being framed by the local police’.

The next hearing date has been set for 22nd May 2017