A JURY has heard details today (April 28) of the 244 stab wounds inflicted on two French students found murdered in a burning flat.

The Old Bailey heard how Laurent Bonomo had five stab wounds which had passed all the way through his skull, requiring severe force, while 14 other wounds pentrated his left lung.

And Gabriel Ferez, who had 50 injuries, could have been stabbed up to 11 times after he had actually died, forensic pathologist Dr Robert Chapman said.

The two French students were allegedly tortured for their pin numbers before being murdered at Mr Bonomo's flat in Sterling Gardens, New Cross, on June 29 last year.

Jury members were shown computer generated images of the students' wounds which were up to 12cm deep and 10cm long.

Mr Bonomo had five injuries to the top and back of his head, seven above his ear and around 20 on his left cheek and temple.

One cut had gone through the front of his ear where it joined his face.

A stab wound to the back of his neck hit his spine, while two others severed his jugular vein and a main artery, wounds which would have been fatal.

Cuts on his hands show that the student may have been trying to defend himself, the pathologist said, while there were further stabs to his stomach, side, back, and leg.

Dr Chapman said: "In my view this was a prolonged, determined and very violent attack."

On Mr Ferez's body the burnt remains of tights used to bind his wrists were found, along with remnants of a blue tablecloth wrapped around his neck.

Two of his stab wounds went through the chest, with one 10cm wound piercing the left ventricle of his heart, which the court was told would have "quickly proved fatal".

He had further injuries to his head, face, abdomen, back and thigh.

Bruising to his right wrist showed Mr Ferez may have stuggled, the pathologist said.

Dr Chapman concluded that the wounds could have been caused by one knife with a blade at least 10cm long.

Nigel Farmer, aged 33, of no fixed address, and Dano Sonnex, aged 23, of Etta Street, Deptford, both deny murder, arson and false imprisonment.

Sonnex admits burglary but Farmer denies the charge.

The trial continues.