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Jo Yeates: Vincent Tabak 'searched body decomposition' Jo Yeates: Vincent Tabak 'shopped in Asda after death'
(40 minutes later)
A Dutch engineer accused of murdering Bristol woman Jo Yeates searched the internet for how long it would take a body to decompose, a court has heard. The man accused of murdering Jo Yeates shopped in Asda while her body was in his car, a court has heard.
The body of the 25-year-old landscape architect was discovered on a roadside verge near Bristol on Christmas Day. Bristol Crown Court was told by prosecutors that Vincent Tabak, who has admitted Miss Yeates's manslaughter, bought rock salt, crisps and beer.
Vincent Tabak, 33, admits manslaughter but denies Miss Yeates's murder. Nigel Lickley QC, said Miss Yeates's body "must" have been in the car boot when he visited the Bedminster store.
Prosecutor Nigel Lickley QC told Bristol Crown Court that Tabak also texted his girlfriend after the killing, saying he was "bored". The body of Miss Yeates was found on a verge near Bristol on Christmas Day. Tabak denies her murder.
Tabak also searched for information on the length of murder and manslaughter sentences and when police revealed a pizza and its box were missing from Miss Yeates's flat, he searched the internet for the dates of refuse collections in the Clifton area, Mr Lickley said. The jury was told the 33-year-old Dutch engineer went to the Asda store twice and did his shopping on the second visit.
Mr Lickley told Bristol Crown Court that Tabak texted his girlfriend after the killing, saying he was "bored".
On the first day of the trial, the court was told Tabak also searched for information on the length of murder and manslaughter sentences.
When police revealed a pizza and its box were missing from Miss Yeates's flat, he searched the internet for the dates of refuse collections in the Clifton area, Mr Lickley said.
"When alone at work or at home his internet activity became ever more consumed, following news items as if almost following the police investigation as it unfolded," he said."When alone at work or at home his internet activity became ever more consumed, following news items as if almost following the police investigation as it unfolded," he said.
Tabak also constantly searched the Avon and Somerset Police website for details of the case and used Google Maps to view the location Miss Yeates's body was found, he added.Tabak also constantly searched the Avon and Somerset Police website for details of the case and used Google Maps to view the location Miss Yeates's body was found, he added.
'Held her throat''Held her throat'
Miss Yeates, from Ampfield, Hampshire, disappeared on 17 December last year after going for drinks with colleagues in Bristol city centre. Miss Yeates, from Ampfield, Hampshire, disappeared on 17 December 2010 after going for drinks with colleagues in Bristol city centre.
As the prosecution outlined its case, jurors were shown CCTV of her visiting Bargain Booze on the way home to her flat in Canynge Road.As the prosecution outlined its case, jurors were shown CCTV of her visiting Bargain Booze on the way home to her flat in Canynge Road.
Despite living in a neighbouring garden flat, Miss Yeates did not know Tabak, the court heard.Despite living in a neighbouring garden flat, Miss Yeates did not know Tabak, the court heard.
On the night of her death, Miss Yeates had "settled down for the evening when she was interrupted by Vincent Tabak", Mr Lickley said.On the night of her death, Miss Yeates had "settled down for the evening when she was interrupted by Vincent Tabak", Mr Lickley said.
"There is no doubt, and neither is it in dispute, as to how that young woman died," he said."There is no doubt, and neither is it in dispute, as to how that young woman died," he said.
"Vincent Tabak strangled her with his hand or hands. He held her throat hard enough and for long enough to kill her."Vincent Tabak strangled her with his hand or hands. He held her throat hard enough and for long enough to kill her.
"There were screams heard by neighbours at a nearby party."There were screams heard by neighbours at a nearby party.
"Those screams were Vincent Tabak attacking her.""Those screams were Vincent Tabak attacking her."
He added that the first scream was followed by a second "lower, muffled sound" and then a thud.He added that the first scream was followed by a second "lower, muffled sound" and then a thud.
A husband and wife, who attended a nearby party, said they heard the screams at about 21:00 GMT - less than 20 minutes after Miss Yeates arrived home.
'Buried in snow''Buried in snow'
At 22:28 the same day, Tabak went to Asda in Bedminster where he bought crisps and beer. Mr Lickley said Miss Yeates's body may have been in the boot of his car at the time.
He told the court: "Having killed her, he drove her body in the boot of a Renault Megane and deposited her body where it was found."He told the court: "Having killed her, he drove her body in the boot of a Renault Megane and deposited her body where it was found."
Forensic evidence showed blood on the wall beside Longwood Lane, consistent with Tabak trying and failing to put Miss Yeates's body over the wall, Mr Lickley said.Forensic evidence showed blood on the wall beside Longwood Lane, consistent with Tabak trying and failing to put Miss Yeates's body over the wall, Mr Lickley said.
He said leaves had been placed deliberately over Miss Yeates's body and snow had then fallen on her.He said leaves had been placed deliberately over Miss Yeates's body and snow had then fallen on her.
The jury was told how Miss Yeates's body was found by a couple on Christmas morning during a walk with their dog in Failand, on the outskirts of the city. The jury was told how Miss Yeates's body was found by a couple on Christmas morning in Failand, on the outskirts of the city.
The prosecutor said that during the following weeks Tabak was "in complete control" and "knew what he was doing". The prosecutor said that during the following weeks, Tabak was "in complete control" and "knew what he was doing".
"He was able to mislead and manipulate others and to hide his inner feelings," he said. Miss Yeates's boyfriend Greg Reardon described Tabak and his girlfriend as "quiet, keeping themselves to themselves," Mr Lickley said, and had only met them once when their cat got into their flat.
The court heard Tabak had told people at social occasions that Jo Yeates and Greg Reardon's cat would visit his flat.
Mr Reardon described Tabak and his girlfriend as "quiet, keeping themselves to themselves," Mr Lickley said, and had only met them once when their cat got into their flat.
When he returned home from visiting family in Sheffield, he thought Miss Yeates was out and rang her phone which had been left inside their flat.When he returned home from visiting family in Sheffield, he thought Miss Yeates was out and rang her phone which had been left inside their flat.
Mr Lickley said Mr Reardon noticed a "disturbance" in the hallway where boots and jackets had been scattered and not left as neatly as usual. After calling friends and family in a bid to find her, Mr Reardon called police.
After calling friends and family in a bid to find her, he called police at 00:45.
The trial is expected to last four weeks.The trial is expected to last four weeks.