A jury has been shown a shirt owned by a factory worker and covered in the blood of the ex-girlfriend he is accused of murdering.

DNA tests matched blood found on the stripy shirt with that of Dellwyn James, 31, and 19-year-old policeman's daughter Rae Torbet, whom he is accused of killing, a court heard.

The seven-man, five-woman jury was shown other pieces of clothing, including a pair of James' Levi jeans splattered with Miss Torbet's blood.

Forensic experts yesterday told Lewes Crown Court it was a one-in-a-billion chance the blood was not Miss Torbet's or James'.

James is accused of stabbing Miss Torbet more than 15 times in her face and neck with two large knives after she finished their seven-month relationship.

He allegedly left one knife lodged in her neck before fleeing her rented top-floor flat in Cantelupe Road, Bexhill, on March 27.

Forensic scientist Damian Lyle said the shirt was found on a beanbag in Miss Torbet's flat.

Miss Torbet's bed had been upturned and blood smears and splatters were found around her flat, including the bathroom.

Forklift truck driver James, of Chiltern Drive, Hastings, denies murdering Miss Torbet, former head girl at Bexhill High School.

In court to hear evidence was Miss Torbet's father, Eastbourne-based Detective Chief Inspector Jim Torbet.

Earlier yesterday, the jury heard from the man Miss Torbet started dating after finishing her relationship with James.

Doorman Kevin Brown, 39, said their relationship began a week before her death after they met at Dennies night club, where they both worked.

Miss Torbet was employed as a part-time barmaid at the club, in Priory Street, Hastings, while also working as a bank clerk at HSBC bank in Hailsham.

Mr Brown recalled the day Miss Torbet was stabbed to death. On Thursday, March 27, she texted him to say she had finished work.

She was planning to return to her flat to tidy up before driving to Hastings to spend the night at Mr Brown's flat where he was preparing a fish dinner for them.

Mr Brown said: "I spoke to her on the phone and she sounded excited. Then I never heard from her again.

"I thought it was a bit strange so I phoned a friend saying that I had been stood up. He seemed adamant that she wouldn't do that."

Earlier that day, James had sent a text message to Miss Torbet's friend, Abigail Older, urging her to help reconcile his relationship with her.

However, Miss Older's reply read: "Why don't you f*** off. She's happy without you," to which James replied: "Whatever."

The following day, March 28, at 10am police arrived at Mr Brown's flat to tell him Miss Torbet had been found dead.

The trial continues.