A former prostitute would probably have died if she had not received emergency surgery following a frenzied attack, a jury was told.

Nichola Jane Hirst was stabbed 43 times in the red light area of Listerhills, Bradford, in the early hours of Sunday, October 29, last year.

Security guard, Noel John Dooley, 42, of Bradford, denies attempted murder at Leeds Crown Court.

Vladimir Anikin, a chest surgeon at Bradford Royal Infirmary, told the jury yesterday that Miss Hirst, 27, had received 28 wounds to her body, causing both lungs to collapse. Her arms and legs suffered the full brunt of the attack.

"This condition is very dangerous and she was categorised as an emergency with a risk of fatality," he said. "If she hadn't received emergency treatment, she could have died of oxygen starvation."

The court also heard from forensic scientist Andrew Hunt, who said he had found no evidence to link Dooley with Miss Hirst at the scene of the crime.

Samples were taken from the attack site, from the caravan where Dooley was living at Laycote Mills, Legrams Lane and from the clothing of the victim.

"The examinations have been quite rigorous," said Mr Hunt, adding that DNA samples of another party had been found but were impossible to identify.

Robert Smith QC, prosecuting, asked Mr Hunt about the cut Dooley had suffered on his head and asked if the fact that he was alleged to have been wearing a baseball cap at the time could have prevented blood being left at the scene.

Mr Hunt said: "Some blood could be absorbed in the sweatband of the cap but it depends of how quickly and profusely it is bleeding."

Earlier, the court heard from officers in the case, who had searched Dooley's caravan hours before it was set alight. Detective Sergeant Christopher Walker, admitted it would have been a better decision to have seized the caravan with the belongings before it had the chance to burn.

The trial continues.