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April Jones murder: Mark Bridger was 'sexually motivated' April Jones murder: 'Bone found at Mark Bridger's home
(35 minutes later)
Blood matching missing April Jones was found in the home of a man accused of abducting and murdering the five-year-old in a sexually motivated attack, a jury at Mold Crown Court has heard. Bone fragments from a child and blood matching missing five-year-old April Jones were found in the home of a man accused murdering her in a sexually motivated attack, a jury has heard.
April went missing near her home in Machynlleth, Powys on 1 October 2012.April went missing near her home in Machynlleth, Powys on 1 October 2012.
Mark Bridger, 47, from Ceinws near Machynlleth, denies abducting and murdering April, and intending to pervert the course of justice.Mark Bridger, 47, from Ceinws near Machynlleth, denies abducting and murdering April, and intending to pervert the course of justice.
The court heard juvenile bone fragments were found at Mr Bridger's home. The jury heard Mr Bridger had gone to "enormous lengths" to conceal evidence.
Elwen Evans QC, opening the prosecution's case, said the defendant had gone to enormous lengths to conceal what he had done. Elwen Evans QC, opening the prosecution's case, said: "He has played a cruel game in pretending not to know what he has done to her and with her. It is a game to try and save himself."
She said: "He has played a cruel game in pretending not to know what he has done to her and with her. It is a game to try and save himself."
The court heard Mr Bridger's computer contained images of child sex abuse as well as photographs of local children. His computer records also showed he had an interest in child murder cases.The court heard Mr Bridger's computer contained images of child sex abuse as well as photographs of local children. His computer records also showed he had an interest in child murder cases.
Search terms Mr Bridger used on his computer included "naked young five year old girls" and "nudism five-year-old".Search terms Mr Bridger used on his computer included "naked young five year old girls" and "nudism five-year-old".
He had images of the Soham murder victims Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman on his computer, the jury was told.He had images of the Soham murder victims Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman on his computer, the jury was told.
On the day April was abducted he viewed a pornographic cartoon, apparently depicting rape.On the day April was abducted he viewed a pornographic cartoon, apparently depicting rape.
Ms Evans said the evidence was "all too relevant" and may help provide a "key to understanding what he did and why he did what he did".Ms Evans said the evidence was "all too relevant" and may help provide a "key to understanding what he did and why he did what he did".
'Strong emotions''Strong emotions'
The jury heard Mr Bridger undertook an "extensive clean-up operation" at his home which included the disposal of April's body and her clothes.The jury heard Mr Bridger undertook an "extensive clean-up operation" at his home which included the disposal of April's body and her clothes.
However, some evidence remained. Blood found in the living room, hallway and bathroom matched April's DNA.However, some evidence remained. Blood found in the living room, hallway and bathroom matched April's DNA.
Ms Evans told the court that bone fragments found in fire ashes at his home were consistent with those of a juvenile human skull, according to experts.Ms Evans told the court that bone fragments found in fire ashes at his home were consistent with those of a juvenile human skull, according to experts.
A concentration of blood was found near the wood burner at Mr Bridger's home. Around the wood burner were a number of knives, one of which was badly burned.A concentration of blood was found near the wood burner at Mr Bridger's home. Around the wood burner were a number of knives, one of which was badly burned.
"The defendant was an experienced slaughter man who knew how to use knives professionally," she explained."The defendant was an experienced slaughter man who knew how to use knives professionally," she explained.
The prosecution said Mr Bridger claimed he was involved in a road traffic accident with April, then put her in a car to get her medical attention "although he did not in fact approach anyone for help".The prosecution said Mr Bridger claimed he was involved in a road traffic accident with April, then put her in a car to get her medical attention "although he did not in fact approach anyone for help".
He claimed he drove around Machynlleth, an account which the prosecution said was undermined by the evidence, including CCTV.He claimed he drove around Machynlleth, an account which the prosecution said was undermined by the evidence, including CCTV.
He said there came a time when he was driving around when he had no recollection of what happened.He said there came a time when he was driving around when he had no recollection of what happened.
Mr Bridger also said he was too drunk to remember but he believed he put her somewhere out of the rain.Mr Bridger also said he was too drunk to remember but he believed he put her somewhere out of the rain.
He denied taking her to his home and said he did not sexually abuse her.He denied taking her to his home and said he did not sexually abuse her.
Ms Evans said April was last seen on 1 October last year "happy and smiling" getting into the defendant's Land Rover.Ms Evans said April was last seen on 1 October last year "happy and smiling" getting into the defendant's Land Rover.
"He drove her away and that was the last that anyone apart from the defendant saw of April.""He drove her away and that was the last that anyone apart from the defendant saw of April."
She added: "The largest search in British policing history has failed to find her."She added: "The largest search in British policing history has failed to find her."
The court heard April's best friend saw her talking to Mr Bridger on the day she went missing and witnessed her getting into his car.The court heard April's best friend saw her talking to Mr Bridger on the day she went missing and witnessed her getting into his car.
Ms Evans warned the jury warned that the case was "likely to provoke strong emotions". Brother sent to find April
She told them they must decide the case "fairly and squarely on the evidence you hear." As the afternoon session in court began, Ms Evans said April lived with her mother and father Coral and Paul Jones, a 16-year-old sister and a 10-year-old brother.
Mr Bridger remained staring straight ahead as the case was outlined against him. The court heard her brother had been sent to get her when she did not come home.
"He was the first to be told what had happened and ran home," Ms Evans said.
The trial heard April had a relatively mild form of cerebral palsy "but that did not stop her leading a full and active life".
She had been "out and about" and swimming at the local leisure centre on the day she disappeared.
Mr Bridger spent a lot of time outdoors participating in what he called survival and bush craft.
He claimed to know the "rugged terrain" around Machynlleth well.
This played a significant feature in the police deciding the size and scope of their search for April, the jury was told.
The defendant told people he had had a career in the armed services, including the SAS, but the prosecution said military records showed any army career was "a lie, a fantasy".
Mr Bridger worked in an abattoir from 2009 to 2012. In October last year he was working as a labourer in a guest house which was being renovated.
Earlier, Ms Evans warned the jury warned that the case was "likely to provoke strong emotions".
She told them they must decide the case "fairly and squarely on the evidence you hear".
Mr Bridger remained staring straight ahead as the case was outlined against him. He was wearing headphones to ensure he could hear everything said in court.
The prosecution's opening speech is expected to continue into Wednesday.The prosecution's opening speech is expected to continue into Wednesday.
The jury will to go to Machynlleth on Thursday to visit various sites. The jury will to go to Machynlleth on Thursday to visit various locations.
April's parents Coral and Paul Jones were seated in the front row of the public gallery throughout the morning's proceedings, which included legal argument and jury selection. They were shown maps of the areas they will see including April's home estate of Bryn-y-Gog, Mr Bridger's cottage in Ceinws, and sites such as a local garage where CCTV footage was obtained.
April's parents Coral and Paul Jones were seated in the front row of the public gallery throughout the morning's proceedings.
Both were wearing pink ribbons, which became the symbol of the search for their missing daughter following her disappearance.Both were wearing pink ribbons, which became the symbol of the search for their missing daughter following her disappearance.
The trial, which could last until the middle of June, is continuing.The trial, which could last until the middle of June, is continuing.