A Walton businesswoman could have been killed with a "rapidity of blows happening within seconds" by a man she was out on a first date with, a court has heard.

Kate Beagley, 32, from Neslon Close, was stabbed 31 times in the face, neck and throat by a man she met days before in a nightclub, the prosecution claims.

Karl Taylor,32,from Kemble Street, Covent Garden, denies her murder on May 30 last year.

Forensic Pathologist Ashley Fegan-Earl told an Old Bailey courtroom on Monday she had cuts on her hands which he believed came from "warding off the blows of a knife".

He called them "classical defence wounds".

Mr Fegan-Earl said a bend in the knife said to be the murder weapon could have been caused on impact with her bone.

He explained to the court how identifying Miss Beagley's wounds was made difficult because her body had been partially decayed due to maggot infestation.

Her naked body was found in Oxhey Woods near Watford five days after her death.

The pathologist said it would have been difficult for Miss Beagley to cry out with the injuries because she would have passed out first.

Later Adrian Kargbo, a friend of Mr Taylor was at CC Nightclub on the night the defendant met Kate Beagley, said his friend was successful with woman and "a charmer".

He said Mr Taylor had taken a knife from his flat hours before he went out on the date with Miss Beagley.

Last week the court heard a woman Maureen Roncone who shared a table with Mr Taylor and Miss Beagley at the Roebuck pub in Richmond pub said Miss Beagley had ignored him during the date.

Mr Taylor is accused of murdering her on a bench in Richmond Hill later that evening.

The trial continues.