A teacher fought for her life as her husband repeatedly beat her, a murder trial has been told.

Jillian Parnham, 38, who died from severe head injuries, used her arms and hands to defend herself.

Forensic pathologist Dr Ian Hill told Lewes Crown Court that Jillian's injuries showed she had put up a "spirited defence".

The prosecution alleges she was killed by her husband on March 5 last year after he learned she was having an affair.

It is alleged he ransacked the family home in Millmead, Ashington, near Storrington, and later lied to police that Jillian had been killed in a violent break-in.

IT teacher Mark Parnham, 36, denies murder.

Parnham, Jillian and her lover Chris Worth, 47, from Chichester, were all teachers at Millais girls' secondary school in Horsham.

Mother-of-two Jillian suffered a fractured skull and numerous cuts and bruises to her head and body. Her body was found in the lounge.

Dr Hill told the court the large number of injuries on her hands and arms indicated there had been "quite a fierce fight".

He said: "The appearance of the injuries and the fact we have got fractures on the skull suggest a severe amount of force was used.

"It is a cumulative effect of all these injuries which caused this lady's death."

He added: "It took quite a few minutes for her to die. There were 20 serious blows.

Dr Hill said the injuries were consistent with Jillian being hit with a bar later recovered from the Parnhams' front garden.

He examined Parnham the day after the attack and described him as being "extremely withdrawn".

The court heard Parnham had a number of cuts and bruises on his head and hands that could have been caused by any range of objects. Dr Hill said they could have been caused by a fight.

Forensic Science Service expert Adrian Emes gave evidence about blood spatters found in the lounge and the rest of the house on the night of Jillian's death.

He said: "I think within that room all the disturbance that I noted has to have occurred after the blood was deposited.

"In one corner of the room there was a bureau with books. They appeared to have been pulled out.

"None of them had any blood staining on them and yet they were lying on an area of carpet that was blood-stained."

The trial continues.