DNA matching that of the two men accused of an acid attack on an investigative journalist was found on items recovered at the scene, a forensic scientist has told a court.

Susan Williamson was giving evidence at the trial of William Burns, 56, and Alexander Porter, 48, both from Paisley, who deny assaulting Russell Findlay to the danger of his life by throwing sulphuric acid in his face at his Glasgow west end home on December 23, 2015.

The jury at the High Court in Glasgow heard Ms Williamson examined a red Royal Mail jacket and a red Royal Mail bag found on the driveway, a knife found in the threshold of Mr Findlay’s door, and a jar that had contained acid.

The court was told DNA matching Mr Burns was found on the jacket. The odds on the DNA belonging to anyone else not related to Mr Burns is a billion to one.

The jury heard the red bag had Royal Mail parcel cards inside it, some elastic bands and a pair of glasses.

There was mixed DNA found on the glasses and Ms Williamson told the court that major contributor matched the DNA of Mr Porter.

Prosecutor Richard Goddard asked her: “The DNA of the major contributor on the glasses matched the DNA profile from Alexander Porter?” and she answered: “That’s right.”

Ms Williamson also examined the handle of the knife and said the major DNA contributor was Mr Porter.

The jury was told the chances of the DNA not being Mr Porter’s was also one billion to one.

Mr Burns and Mr Porter also deny attempting to murder Ross Sherlock by shooting at him repeatedly near St Helen’s Primary in Bishopbriggs on September 24, 2015. The trial continues.