A KNIFE found at the home of a man accused of murdering a former Colne teenager could be used to skin meat, a court heard.

Butcher Christopher Bellamy told Lincoln Crown Court the chef's knife found in Stephen Charles Hughes' flat was not the sort he would expect to find in a home.

Hughes, 41, is accused of killing his five-month pregnant neighbour Kim Newson, 18, in Lincoln last March. The prosecution claim he attacked and killed her before cutting up her body and dumping parts, which were recovered between April 18 and June 6, in the River Witham.

Mr Bellamy, who has 23 years' experience in the trade, said the knife had been sharpened extensively and could be used for cutting and skinning meat. He said he would not keep such a knife at his home.

Yesterday the jury visited the flats where the killing is alleged to have taken place, accompanied by trial judge Mr Justice Peter Crane, counsel, police and court officials.

The prosecution say a CCTV camera opposite the flat captured Hughes in Miss Newson's flat in the early hours of March 5 -- the day she disappeared.

Earlier the jury heard fibres from Hughes' living room carpet matching those found with Miss Newson's body parts were a common material for carpets. During cross-examination by Hughes' barrister Paul Watson QC forensic scientist Frank Gore agreed there was nothing unique about the 17 fibres taken from finds in the river.

Hughes denies murdering the teenager in March last year.

(Proceeding)