A SALES assistant stabbed to death in a remote wooded area was the victim of a "sustained and very violent assault", a pathologist has told a jury.

Alex Davies, 18, was said to be alive when most of the 128 stab wounds were inflicted to the back of his body, neck, chest, abdomen and left arm.

Brian Healless, also aged 18, from Chorley, has admitted unlawfully killing the teenager on Parbold Hill in Parbold shortly after they met on a first date, but denies his murder.

Giving evidence at Preston Crown Court on Thursday, Home Office pathologist Dr Alison Armour said she examined Mr Davies's body and concluded he died from a combination of multiple stab wounds and asphyxiation.

She said: "This young man was the victim of a sustained and very violent assault where he was stabbed 128 times. It is my view that the majority of the wounds were inflicted in life."

Mud and vegetation in his mouth and nose would have led to asphyxia and was consistent with being dragged face down, she said.

Dr Armour added there was also evidence of blunt impact trauma to the head which suggested openly gay Mr Davies, from Skelmersdale, was punched a number of times.

The court heard Healless messaged four males on dating app Grindr in the days that followed the killing and discussed meeting up with each of them.

Healless told two of the males he could ride his bike to a rendezvous point halfway between their homes for "some outdoor fun" and mentioned finding a "discreet spot".

Jurors were previously told Healless took a knife to Parbold Hill on the afternoon of April 29 where he attacked Mr Davies, covered his body with branches and then rode off on his mountain bike.

The defendant was arrested at his home in Rylands Road on May 3, where police recovered the victim's headphones, mobile phone, and wallet containing Healless's bank card.

The jury has been told the issue to consider was whether this was murder or a case of manslaughter by reason of diminished responsibility.

The trial continues today when psychiatric evidence will be heard.