An eight-year-old girl alleged to have been murdered by her father had two “defensive” wounds to her hands, apparently suffered as she tried to ward off a knife, a court has heard.

A forensic pathologist told jurors Mylee Billingham, who died from a single stab wound to the chest, also had an injury to her lip area suggesting a hand was placed over her mouth.

Giving evidence to Birmingham Crown Court via videolink, Home Office-accredited pathologist Brett Lockyer said injuries found during a post-mortem examination included a “superficial” linear incised wound on her right middle finger.

Asked to comment on the wound and another injury to Mylee’s left hand, Dr Lockyer told the court: “This type of injury could be caused by sharp force with a weapon with a cutting edge, such as a knife or glass.

“It’s in an area that can be regarded as defensive. I would regard this as being suggestive of a defensive-type mechanism.”

Floral tributes in remembrance of Mylee Billingham outside the property in Brownhills, near Walsall, where the eight-year-old was found with fatal knife wounds
Floral tributes in remembrance of Mylee Billingham outside the property in Brownhills, near Walsall, where the eight-year-old was found with fatal knife wounds (Aaron Chown/PA)

William Billingham, a 55-year-old father-of-six, of Valley View, Brownhills, near Walsall, denies murdering Mylee and making a threat to kill her mother, Tracey Taundry, as she arrived to take her daughter home on the night of January 20.

The trial has heard claims Billingham was struggling to cope with his ex-partner Miss Taundry’s decision to start a new relationship.

Billingham did not attend the fourth day of his trial because of illness.

Explaining the defendant’s absence from the dock to jurors, Judge Paul Farrer QC said: “Overnight he has been unwell and I am quite satisfied he is not well enough at the moment to be in court.

“Clearly it’s not Mr Billingham’s fault that he is not here and it’s not something that you should hold against him in any way.”

The trial continues.