DNA taken from the fingernails of the victim of a terrifying armed raid proved a billion to one match with one of the men accused of robbing her, a court heard.

Frightened nurse Louise Henning scratched the face of one of two raiders who had barged into her house in Totton and tried to make sure her blood was on the other by flicking it at him, in a bid to create evidence.

A forensic scientist told Southampton Crown Court yesterday that cells found on swabs of her fingernails provided a full DNA profile match for Jamie Dalton, while a speck of blood on trainers worn by co-accused Matthew Harfield had identical DNA to Mrs Henning’s.

The pair deny aggravated burglary and possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence following the February 22 attack, in which Mrs Henning was left with loosened teeth, a bruised neck and shoulders, sore ribs and had clumps of hair pulled out.

Two masked raiders forced their way into her Testwood Lane home, where she was with here 11-month-old son, after she opened the door to them believing they were gas board workers.

Following the violent exchange, they escaped with £2,000 cash.

Forensic expert Kim Edwards said she examined jeans and trainers Harfield, 35, of no fixed abode, was wearing when he was arrested two days after the robbery, as well as a further pair of jeans and two black neck rolls seized from his van, and a pair of gloves found at an address in Southampton.

She said DNA from both trousers matched Harfield’s profile, as did that on a fleece neck roll, while a makeshift mask contained DNA identical to that of Dalton, of Kingsdown Way, Southampton. No other major DNA profiles were found on those items, she added.

Miss Edwards accepted the blood on Harfield’s trainers containing Mrs Henning’s DNA could have come directly from her, or passed on by someone else.

Proceeding.