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| April Jones case: Judge continues summing up | April Jones case: Judge continues summing up |
| (39 minutes 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 after lunch. | 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 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. | 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. | 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. | 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, looked 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, looked 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 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. | 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..." |
| 'Black bin bag' | '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. | 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. | 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 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. | He also reminded the jury 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 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". | The judge said the jury had heard evidence the defendant was an "emotional wreck". |
| Considerable sympathy | 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." | 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." |
| Later, the judge went on to review evidence at Mount Pleasant, Mr Bridger's home. | Later, the judge went on to review evidence at Mount Pleasant, Mr Bridger's home. |
| He said some experts agreed the carpet appeared to have been cleaned, adding that blood matching April's DNA was found and there was "no issue this is April's blood". | He said some experts agreed the carpet appeared to have been cleaned, adding that blood matching April's DNA was found and there was "no issue this is April's blood". |
| One expert had described what appeared to be a trail of blood spots in the house. | One expert had described what appeared to be a trail of blood spots in the house. |
| The judge said the court had also heard that a large area of blood staining by the fireplace indicated "prolonged contact" with the source of April's blood which, it was believed, had come from April herself. | The judge said the court had also heard that a large area of blood staining by the fireplace indicated "prolonged contact" with the source of April's blood which, it was believed, had come from April herself. |
| He also referred to evidence from a crime scene investigator who said the woodburner showed signs of having been wiped down. | He also referred to evidence from a crime scene investigator who said the woodburner showed signs of having been wiped down. |
| The expert had noticed this by looking at pictures recently and did not notice at the time. On this evidence, the judge said: "My advice, ladies and gentleman, is to put it to one side." | The expert had noticed this by looking at pictures recently and did not notice at the time. On this evidence, the judge said: "My advice, ladies and gentleman, is to put it to one side." |
| The jury was also reminded there was no evidence of blood on knives and other tools around the fireplace. | The jury was also reminded there was no evidence of blood on knives and other tools around the fireplace. |
| One expert had said there was no blood or other biological material relating to April found inside Mr Bridger's Land Rover and no evidence of a large-scale clean-up. Fingerprint tests were inconclusive. | One expert had said there was no blood or other biological material relating to April found inside Mr Bridger's Land Rover and no evidence of a large-scale clean-up. Fingerprint tests were inconclusive. |
| There was also nothing to indicate anyone had been run over by the vehicle. Similarly, no evidence of a collision was found on the bicycle April was riding. | There was also nothing to indicate anyone had been run over by the vehicle. Similarly, no evidence of a collision was found on the bicycle April was riding. |
| Moving on to computer evidence, the jury has been reminded that images of April's older sister and two older half-sisters were on Mr Bridger's computer. April could also be seen in some of the pictures. | Moving on to computer evidence, the jury has been reminded that images of April's older sister and two older half-sisters were on Mr Bridger's computer. April could also be seen in some of the pictures. |
| There were also images of serious sexual abuse. | There were also images of serious sexual abuse. |
| The judge later talked about bone evidence from the fire saying the experts concentrated on five fragments and were satisfied they had been subjected to heat. | The judge later talked about bone evidence from the fire saying the experts concentrated on five fragments and were satisfied they had been subjected to heat. |
| He told jurors to concentrate on these five rather than the other 12 that were found which could not be identified as human or non-human. | He told jurors to concentrate on these five rather than the other 12 that were found which could not be identified as human or non-human. |
| Alcohol content | |
| The judge said the jury would "want to have regard to the objectivity of those witnesses", adding they relied very much upon their individual experiences in the field. | The judge said the jury would "want to have regard to the objectivity of those witnesses", adding they relied very much upon their individual experiences in the field. |
| One expert concluded that four of the fragments were "more likely to be human than non-human" and it was not possible to determine either way in the case of the fifth. | One expert concluded that four of the fragments were "more likely to be human than non-human" and it was not possible to determine either way in the case of the fifth. |
| The jury was reminded that Prof Sue Black, described by the judge as "probably the highest qualified" of the experts, could not conclude whether the fragments were human or cranial bone. | The jury was reminded that Prof Sue Black, described by the judge as "probably the highest qualified" of the experts, could not conclude whether the fragments were human or cranial bone. |
| Turning to Mr Bridger's police interview, the judge said blood and urine tests taken nearly six hours after his arrest showed no alcohol content. | |
| The defendant had also spoken at length about the manner of the possible disposal of April's body, saying he would not have put her in water because he was scared of drowning. | |
| Mr Bridger also spoke of the possibility of April's body being burned but his fire training taught him flesh, like pork, would smell. | |
| 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. |