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April Jones killer claims 'mental block' over what happened to body April Jones killer claims 'mental block' over what happened to body
(35 minutes later)
The man accused of murdering April Jones told police he had a "mental block" about what happened to her body, a jury has heard.The man accused of murdering April Jones told police he had a "mental block" about what happened to her body, a jury has heard.
Mark Bridger, 47, also said he "never thought" of calling 999 after he, according to his own account, ran her over, Mold Crown Court heard. Mark Bridger, 47, also said he "never thought" of calling 999 after he, according to his own account, ran her over, Mold crown court heard.
The jury in Bridger's trial were hearing transcripts of his police interviews for a second day, read to the court by Paul Hobson, prosecuting.The jury in Bridger's trial were hearing transcripts of his police interviews for a second day, read to the court by Paul Hobson, prosecuting.
In the transcripts, interviewing officer detective constable Louise Thomas asked the defendant about what happened after five-year-old April was seen for the last time – playing near her home in Machynlleth, Powys – on the evening of October 1 last year. In the transcripts, Detective Constable Louise Thomas, the interviewing officer, asked the defendant about what happened after five-year-old April was seen for the last time – playing near her home in Machynlleth, Powys – on the evening of 1 October last year.
Bridger denies abducting and murdering the schoolgirl in a sexually-motivated attack, but says that he accidentally killed the youngster when he ran her over. He accepts that he must have got rid of her body, but says he cannot remember how it did it. Bridger denies abducting and murdering the schoolgirl in a sexually motivated attack, but says he accidentally killed the youngster when he ran her over. He accepts he must have got rid of her body, but says he cannot remember how it did it.
In the police interview played to the court, he said he realised April was dead when he put his hand to her chest and saw that "she was flat on the one side and round on the other". He said: "That's when I knew there was more to it." He said he was crying and panicking, and thought: "What have I done? I've now killed a little girl." In the police interview played to the court, Bridger said he realised April was dead when he put his hand to her chest and saw that "she was flat on the one side and round on the other". He said: "That's when I knew there was more to it." He said he was crying and panicking, and thought: "What have I done? I've now killed a little girl."
After that, he said, what happened was a blank. "I have been over and over and over again in my mind, what I've done and where I've been," he said in the police interview. "I just have a mental block of what happened." Referring to April's parents, Coral and Paul, he added: "I want them to have their daughter." He said what happened afterwards was a blank. "I have been over and over and over again in my mind, what I've done and where I've been," he said in the police interview. "I just have a mental block of what happened." Referring to April's parents, he added: "I want them to have their daughter."
He said he planned to take her to a nearby hospital, but then remembered there was no accident and emergency there. Instead, he said, he then drove to the town's clock tower where he parked, to "think about what to do". "I never thought of dialling 999 or 112, I just didn't think," he said. Instead he drove "back and forward" around the town. Bridger said he planned to take her to a nearby hospital, but then remembered there was no accident and emergency there. Instead, he said, he then drove to the town's clock tower where he parked, to "think about what to do". "I never thought of dialling 999 or 112, I just didn't think," he said. Instead he drove "back and forward" around the town.
April, who had cerebral palsy, vanished while playing on her bike with her best friend near their homes on Machynlleth's Bryn-Y-Gog estate. Her body was never found despite the biggest search operation in British policing history.April, who had cerebral palsy, vanished while playing on her bike with her best friend near their homes on Machynlleth's Bryn-Y-Gog estate. Her body was never found despite the biggest search operation in British policing history.
Telling the officer about what happened when he was back at his house in Ceinws, in the early hours of the next day, Bridger said: "I can't remember whether I slept or whether I just blanked out.Telling the officer about what happened when he was back at his house in Ceinws, in the early hours of the next day, Bridger said: "I can't remember whether I slept or whether I just blanked out.
"I remember I hugged my dog. I talked to my dog about what happened, I know that sounds stupid.""I remember I hugged my dog. I talked to my dog about what happened, I know that sounds stupid."
At the end of the interview, which took place on October 3, he said: "I would like to say to Paul and Coral, I never meant for this to happen, I never meant to put them through this. I have got kids of my own, I have known them for years." In the transcript, Thomas replied: "Maybe you can help by trying to remember." At the end of the interview, which took place on 3 October, he said: "I would like to say to Paul and Coral [April's parents], I never meant for this to happen, I never meant to put them through this. I have got kids of my own, I have known them for years." In the transcript, Thomas replied: "Maybe you can help by trying to remember."
The case continues.The case continues.
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