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April Jones case: Judge continues summing up April Jones case: Judge continues summing up
(about 1 hour later)
A judge has resumed summing up the evidence in the trial of a man accused of murdering April Jones before the jury retires to consider its verdict.A judge has resumed summing up the evidence in the trial of a man accused of murdering April Jones before the jury retires to consider its verdict.
Mark Bridger, 47, of Ceinws, Powys, denies abducting and murdering five-year-old April, who went missing near her Machynlleth home on 1 October 2012.Mark Bridger, 47, of Ceinws, Powys, denies abducting and murdering five-year-old April, who went missing near her Machynlleth home on 1 October 2012.
He has told Mold Crown Court he accidentally ran her over with his car but the prosecution says he murdered her and lied to cover it up.He has told Mold Crown Court he accidentally ran her over with his car but the prosecution says he murdered her and lied to cover it up.
Her body has never been found.Her body has never been found.
Mr Bridger said he "panicked" after knocking April over and cannot remember what he did with her body.Mr Bridger said he "panicked" after knocking April over and cannot remember what he did with her body.
The court has heard April's blood was found in several locations at his home and fragments from a human skull were in his fire.The court has heard April's blood was found in several locations at his home and fragments from a human skull were in his fire.
The judge Mr Justice John Griffith Williams continued his summing up of the case on Wednesday morning before the jury is expected to retire. The judge Mr Justice John Griffith Williams continued his summing up of the case on Wednesday morning before the jury is expected to retire after lunch.
He is going through the key points of the evidence and started with the background of the case, reminding the jury of April's family history and that of the defendant.He is going through the key points of the evidence and started with the background of the case, reminding the jury of April's family history and that of the defendant.
He also reminded them of the evidence from April's mother Coral that her daughter would probably have known Mr Bridger by sight but would not have got into his vehicle knowingly. He also reminded jurors of the evidence from April's mother Coral that her daughter would probably have known Mr Bridger by sight but would not have got into his vehicle knowingly.
The judge mentioned that the defendant worked in a slaughterhouse in Llanidloes and was skilled in the use of knives for boning and skinning. He reminded the jury the defendant had never served in the armed forces despite his previous claims. The judge mentioned that the defendant worked in a slaughterhouse in Llanidloes and was skilled in the use of knives for boning and skinning.
He reminded the jury the defendant had never served in the armed forces despite his previous claims.
Moving on to key evidence, he began by detailing text messages sent and received by Mr Bridger on the morning April disappeared.Moving on to key evidence, he began by detailing text messages sent and received by Mr Bridger on the morning April disappeared.
The judge said at 12:11 the defendant accessed a pornographic cartoon "and you need no reminder of what that showed" and spoke of him sending Facebook messages to women, asking them for drinks.The judge said at 12:11 the defendant accessed a pornographic cartoon "and you need no reminder of what that showed" and spoke of him sending Facebook messages to women, asking them for drinks.
Describing April's movements on the day, he reminded the jury she came home from school and had her dinner, then went to the leisure centre for a swimming lesson.Describing April's movements on the day, he reminded the jury she came home from school and had her dinner, then went to the leisure centre for a swimming lesson.
Later, she returned home and the judge said the evidence that her parents - who were again in the public gallery - gave in and let her go out to play would have "struck a chord with many parents".Later, she returned home and the judge said the evidence that her parents - who were again in the public gallery - gave in and let her go out to play would have "struck a chord with many parents".
The judge reminded them of the evidence surrounding the parents' evening and how the defendant later drove to Bryn-Y-Gog, the estate where April lived, then around the local area.The judge reminded them of the evidence surrounding the parents' evening and how the defendant later drove to Bryn-Y-Gog, the estate where April lived, then around the local area.
Mr Bridger, who has been looking straight at the judge during his summing up, was seen in or around the estate by several witnesses on the evening of 1 October, before April's disappearance.Mr Bridger, who has been looking straight at the judge during his summing up, was seen in or around the estate by several witnesses on the evening of 1 October, before April's disappearance.
The judge reminded the jury of the evidence of the 10-year-old girl who was invited by Mr Bridger to a sleepover with his daughter. The judge reminded the jury of the evidence of the 10-year-old girl who was invited by Mr Bridger to a sleepover with his daughter.
Moving on to the evidence of the seven-year-old friend April was playing with when she went missing, he said: "In her interview she said that when they were near the BT van she told April to 'come on'... she said that she called her to tell her to get home because it was getting dark. Moving on to the seven-year-old friend April was playing with when she went missing, the judge said: "In her interview she said that when they were near the BT van she told April to 'come on'... she said that she called her to tell her to get home because it was getting dark.
"April was talking to a man who was standing between the Land Rover and the BT van... she could see their mouths moving."April was talking to a man who was standing between the Land Rover and the BT van... she could see their mouths moving.
"She said the man got out of the Land Rover... it was as if he was waiting for someone... she said she didn't know why April wanted to go... but April got in through the driver's door.""She said the man got out of the Land Rover... it was as if he was waiting for someone... she said she didn't know why April wanted to go... but April got in through the driver's door."
He added that in the girl's words: "He was inside the van when April was going to get in..."He added that in the girl's words: "He was inside the van when April was going to get in..."
The judge reminded the jury of what the girl had said in cross-examination by defence counsel Brendan Kelly QC. When Mr Kelly asked the girl whether she had seen April on the floor, the judge said the girl replied: "She was talking, but she was standing up when she was talking to the man..."The judge reminded the jury of what the girl had said in cross-examination by defence counsel Brendan Kelly QC. When Mr Kelly asked the girl whether she had seen April on the floor, the judge said the girl replied: "She was talking, but she was standing up when she was talking to the man..."
Considerable sympathy 'Black bin bag'
The judge then told the jury how April's brother had later ran home and said: "Someone's taken April."The judge then told the jury how April's brother had later ran home and said: "Someone's taken April."
The 999 call was placed and by 20:13 a police road block had been set up on the nearby Dyfi bridge.The 999 call was placed and by 20:13 a police road block had been set up on the nearby Dyfi bridge.
The judge went on to remind the jury that police examined CCTV footage taken between 19:00 on 1 October and midnight. "The defendant's Land Rover was not to be seen," he said.
Moving on to 2 October, the judge talked about the evidence of a woman who saw the defendant carrying a black bin bag. Her impression was there was something in it although it was not very big.
He also reminded the jury of the evidence of Insp Gareth Thomas, who was in charge of the searches, who said if April had been in the area searched she would have been found.
The moment of arrest was also discussed when Mr Bridger said: "It was an accident, I crushed her with the car."
The judge said the jury had heard evidence the defendant was an "emotional wreck".
Considerable sympathy
He reminded the jury Mr Bridger had told police he was "looking for her all night and today on foot... I didn't abduct her I did my best to revive her... I panicked... my son and daughter play at her house... I need to say sorry to her family."
On Tuesday, the judge told the court there was considerable sympathy for April's parents - who have attended every day of the trial - but the jury must concentrate only on the evidence of the case.On Tuesday, the judge told the court there was considerable sympathy for April's parents - who have attended every day of the trial - but the jury must concentrate only on the evidence of the case.
The court also heard closing speeches from the prosecution and defence teams.The court also heard closing speeches from the prosecution and defence teams.
Elwen Evans QC, for the prosecution, said the evidence "overwhelmingly" pointed to Mr Bridger's guilt.Elwen Evans QC, for the prosecution, said the evidence "overwhelmingly" pointed to Mr Bridger's guilt.
For the defence, Brendan Kelly QC cast doubt on the evidence of April's seven-year-old friend who claimed to have seen her getting into Mr Bridger's vehicle "happy and smiling".For the defence, Brendan Kelly QC cast doubt on the evidence of April's seven-year-old friend who claimed to have seen her getting into Mr Bridger's vehicle "happy and smiling".
Mr Bridger also denies intending to pervert the course of justice.Mr Bridger also denies intending to pervert the course of justice.
The case continues.The case continues.