A woman allegedly murdered by her sister and daughter was found to have 19 rib fractures when she died, a court heard.

A pathologist said she believed the injuries to Sharon Greenop had been inflicted deliberately.

However, the High Court in Glasgow heard the body was so decomposed it was impossible to give a certain cause of death.

Sharon's sister Lynnette Greenop, 40, and daughter Shayla Greenop, 20, are accused of murdering the 46-year-old at their home in Troon, South Ayrshire.

It is claimed Sharon was assaulted on various occasions between September 8 and November 10 2016, when her body was found.

Glasgow University pathologist Dr Gemma Kemp told the trial how she carried out a post-mortem on Sharon's remains.

Ms Kemp recalled there being "areas of mummification" on Sharon's body which led her to believe she could have been dead for "several weeks".

She believed the fractures, which had a "range of ages", were caused by "blunt force trauma - an impact of some kind."

Ms Kemp added: "I think with the distribution and the different ages that these were caused by inflicted trauma. Not accidental, a deliberate act."

Prosecutor Ashley Edwards QC asked: "An assault?"

Ms Kemp replied: "Yes."

The pathologist told the jury Sharon also had fractures in her neck and said there was no natural disease that would account for death.

However, the condition of Sharon's body when she was discovered meant no "definitive" cause could be made.

The murder charge alleges Sharon was repeatedly struck with "object or objects" and had her neck compressed.

It is said injuries were also inflicted "by means unknown" and that there was a failure to obtain medical help.

The two accused, who both live in Ayr, South Ayrshire, deny all charges and the trial continues.