DNA linked to ‘murdered’ schoolgirl Lucy McHugh and her alleged killer was found on blood-stained clothing dumped beside a Southampton river, a court has heard.

Jury members were also told how matching fibres between the clothing on the teenager’s body and a blue hooded jumper discovered among the dumped items were also found.

The evidence was heard yesterday during the trial of Stephen Nicholson, who is accused of the 13-year-old’s murder.

LIVE: Lucy McHugh murder trial continues >>>

It comes after Lucy’s body was found in a wooded area of Southampton Sports Centre on July 26, last year.

Nicholson, 25, of no fixed address, denies murder.

He also denies two allegations of sexual activity with a child against Lucy on multiple occasions and denies sexual activity with a child in relation to another girl aged 14.

Yesterday, Winchester Crown Court heard evidence from forensic scientist Jessica Adby, of Key Forensic Services, who investigated blood-stained clothing found at Tanner’s Brook a month after Lucy’s death.

She said a blood-stained Russell Athletic royal blue hoodie contained DNA profiles from both Lucy and the defendant.

Mrs Adby said the likelihood of a mixed DNA sample from the hoodie being from Lucy was “310 million times more likely” to be from her and another person than from two other unknown people.

She added that the likelihood of the DNA in the samples from the hoodie coming from Nicholson and another person was “93 times” more likely than two other unknown people.

Mrs Adby explained that the hoodie was wet and mouldy when it was found and the water could have “diluted” the DNA samples.

She said a pair of blue surgical gloves found at Tanner’s Brook were “one billion times more likely” to come from Nicholson than another person.

The court also heard from forensic scientist Penelope Griffiths, who investigated clothing fibres on Lucy’s body and the hoodie.

She told jury members blue fibres found on Lucy’s body were “indistinguishable” from fibres from the hoodie and that the large number suggested “direct contact” between the two garments.

Nicholson is accused of killing Lucy after she allegedly told him she was pregnant.

Mr Mousley QC said the defendant, who had been living in Lucy mother’s home as a lodger, had been “exploiting” the “vulnerable” teenager during a secret year-long sexual relationship.

The trial continues.