Bank worker was stabbed 37 times during deadly attack

The High Court in Glasgow has also heard Mr McManus denies attempting to murder Ms Sanders's 86-year-old partner Norman Busby.

Ms Sanders was involved in a lot of church work including serving in a cafe at a retirement home and was a member of a hand bell ringing group. Her partner is a retired police sergeant.

Dr Turner told the court two of the wounds inflicted on Ms Sanders were fatal.

One sliced through her heart and the other cut one of the main arteries.

Advocate depute Bruce Erroch, prosecuting, asked: "If it was suggested that one person stabbed this lady with a knife in each hand would that be consistent with your findings?" Dr Turner replied: "Yes."

The jury heard some of the stab wounds had sliced through bone and Dr Turner said these would have required "moderate force".

The pathologist said the two fatal wounds would have resulted in excessive blood loss and Ms Sanders would have died within minutes.

Ms Sanders, who worked in the Bank of Scotland's international division, also had some cuts to her hands which Dr Turner said could have been defensive wounds.

She said: "Wounds to this area are typical defence injuries. It is a natural instinct to put up your hands to defend yourself.

"If you are being attacked with a sharp weapon like a knife you can sustain injuries to your hands."

Dr Turner said that, in total, Ms Sanders had 61 separate injuries on her body.

In addition to the stab wounds she had bruises and puncture wounds.

Under cross-examination defence QC Gordon Jackson asked Dr Turner if she had gone to the crime scene and was told she had.

Mr Jackson said: "There would be a lot of blood about," and Dr Turner said: "Yes, there was blood where her body was and there were spatter areas."

She was then asked if there was blood on various items of furniture and she replied: Yes I think so."

Mr McManus has lodged a special defence of incrimination against Christopher O'Reilly and Ross Arthurs.

The trial has already heard from Mr O'Reilly, 18, who has denied being anywhere near the house on the night on which Ms Sanders was attacked.

Mr Arthurs also denies any involvement in the incident.

Mr McManus faces a separate charge that on April 8 he assaulted and tried to steal a car from Daniel O'Donnell outside a Spar shop in the city's Barrhead Road.

The defendant is further accused of trying to rob Ching Long Law of a mobile phone in an incident on April 2 in Nitshill Road, Glasgow.

Earlier in the trial Mr Busby gave evidence saying a young man holding a knife in each hand barged his way into the house and demanded his car keys.

He told the court he was stabbed several times when he tried to force him out of the front door and Ms Sanders, who had been upstairs at their home, had then tried to come to his aid.

The trial before judge Lord Armstrong continues.