This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-england-bristol-15368208

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Vincent Tabak trial: Tabak searched for manslaughter details Vincent Tabak trial: Tabak misread Yeates's friendliness
(about 2 hours later)
The man accused of murdering Jo Yeates searched the internet for details of the maximum sentence for manslaughter, a jury has been told. A Dutch engineer "completely misread" his neighbour's friendliness and went to kiss her before she screamed, a court has heard.
The day after Miss Yeates went missing her neighbour, Vincent Tabak, 33, also searched for maps of Longwood Lane where her body was later found. At the opening of Vincent Tabak's defence at Bristol Crown Court, his QC William Clegg said he panicked after he went to kiss 25-year-old Jo Yeates.
Computer expert Lyndsey Farmery told Bristol Crown Court Tabak also read news articles about her disappearance. He covered her mouth before he held her neck and she "went limp".
The Dutch engineer admits Miss Yeates's manslaughter but denies murder. Tabak, 33, has admitted Miss Yeates's manslaughter on 17 December last year but denies her murder.
Miss Yeates, 25, originally from Ampfield, Hampshire, was strangled at her flat in Clifton, Bristol, on 17 December 2010. Her body was found on Christmas Day.Miss Yeates, 25, originally from Ampfield, Hampshire, was strangled at her flat in Clifton, Bristol, on 17 December 2010. Her body was found on Christmas Day.
Mr Clegg said Tabak was invited into Miss Yeates's flat when she saw him walking past her kitchen window while she was baking.
It was here, Mr Clegg said, where the pair introduced themselves to one another "and chatted as neighbours would".
"Vincent Tabak misread the situation that he had walked into. Joanna was only being sociable as many neighbours would," Mr Clegg told the jury.
"But he misread her friendliness towards him and made a move towards her as if he was about to kiss her on the lips."
Tabak's girlfriend had been at a Christmas party that night while Miss Yeates's partner was away with family in Sheffield.
Tabak claimed he was in the flat for about 10 minutes before Miss Yeates screamed.
But the defence also claimed screams heard by nearby residents could also have been students celebrating Christmas.
"What Vincent Tabak did was a dreadful crime - but it wasn't something he had planned, intended or wanted to do," Mr Clegg said.
"He panicked and in literally a few seconds he discovered to his horror that she had died."
The defence QC said counsel would not try to excuse Tabak's "disgusting" conduct after her death as he tried to cover his tracks.
But he claimed that Tabak's "calculating" behaviour afterwards did not mean he intended to kill Miss Yeates.
Mr Clegg said Tabak had thrown away a pizza that Miss Yeates had bought on the way home, as well as a sock missing from her body, into an industrial bin and "started living a lie".
"We all know what he should have done. He should have phoned police - he never did.
"That is something that he must bear responsibility for."
Earlier, as the prosecution case ended, the jury was told how Tabak searched the internet for details of the maximum sentence for manslaughter.
News articles
The day after Miss Yeates went missing Tabak also searched for maps of Longwood Lane where her body was later found.
Computer expert Lyndsey Farmery told the court that Tabak also read news articles about her disappearance.
The jury was told that Tabak looked at Wikipedia pages defining murder and manslaughter in English law before the landscape architect's body was found.The jury was told that Tabak looked at Wikipedia pages defining murder and manslaughter in English law before the landscape architect's body was found.
He also looked up definitions of "sexual assault" and "sexual conduct" and read articles on the BBC news website about Miss Yeates's disappearance.He also looked up definitions of "sexual assault" and "sexual conduct" and read articles on the BBC news website about Miss Yeates's disappearance.
Tabak also researched DNA evidence, forensics and fingerprinting on 22 December, the court heard.Tabak also researched DNA evidence, forensics and fingerprinting on 22 December, the court heard.
His internet history showed he searched for "CCTV Canynge Road" and used Google Street View to see the area.His internet history showed he searched for "CCTV Canynge Road" and used Google Street View to see the area.
Ms Farmery also told the court that Tabak searched for "Joanna Yeates pizza" after police said a pizza Miss Yeates had bought on her way home had gone missing. Ms Farmery also told the court that Tabak searched for "Joanna Yeates pizza" in reference to the missing pizza.
The trial continues. The trial was adjourned until Thursday when the jury was told Vincent Tabak would give evidence.