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April Jones trial jury views suspect's vehicle April Jones trial: Jury hears Mark Bridger police interview
(35 minutes later)
The Land Rover said to have been used by a man accused of killing five-year-old April Jones has been viewed by the jury trying him at Mold Crown Court. Details of the first police interview with a man accused of murdering April Jones have been heard by a jury.
Mark Bridger, 47, of Ceinws, Powys, has told police he accidentally knocked her over and put her in his vehicle. Mark Bridger is heard explaining how he accidentally knocked the five-year-old down and tried to revive her.
Mr Bridger denies abducting and murdering April, who went missing near her Machynlleth home on 1 October 2012. He said he then panicked, picked her up and drove but could not remember where he put her, Mold Crown Court heard.
The court was also shown footage of Mr Bridger being checked into the police station after his arrest. Mr Bridger, 47, of Ceinws, Powys, denies abducting and murdering April who disappeared near her Machynlleth home on 1 October 2012.
The prosecution claims the defendant murdered April, who had mild cerebral palsy, in a sexually motivated attack.
She has never been found.She has never been found.
The prosecution claims the defendant murdered April, who had mild cerebral palsy, in a sexually motivated attack.
Mr Bridger told police during interviews he accidentally hit her with his Land Rover Discovery and does not know how he disposed of the body because he was suffering memory loss caused by alcohol and panic.Mr Bridger told police during interviews he accidentally hit her with his Land Rover Discovery and does not know how he disposed of the body because he was suffering memory loss caused by alcohol and panic.
But a forensics scientist who examined the vehicle told the jury on Tuesday there was no evidence of any type of collision with April.But a forensics scientist who examined the vehicle told the jury on Tuesday there was no evidence of any type of collision with April.
The jury was taken to see the vehicle on Thursday morning and view the bicycles April and her friend were playing on when she disappeared. On Thursday, the court heard that the police interview with Mr Bridger was an "urgent interview" with the priority being to find April. It therefore started without his solicitor.
Det Con Louise Thomas said: "Can you explain to us where April is?"
Mr Bridger started by saying he had been to a parents' evening and added: "I don't know where she is."
He then goes on to say: "I'm a registered alcoholic. I drink 15 to 20 pints a day and half a bottle to a bottle of vodka..."
He goes on to explain what had happened to April.
"There was two girls on their bikes... I cannot understand, the car rose up... the car rose up to one side... I didn't hear anything," he said.
"As I opened the car door on the garage side I walked round and underneath the front of the car is now, I know to be, April."
He said he picked her up and she was "only little".
"I also held her hand to see if there was any response... there was nothing," he added.
He left the scene and later shone a torch in her eyes, pinched her, slapped her, then "sheer panic" set in and he drove. He said he was drinking throughout.
The jury was also shown Mr Bridger being booked into Aberystwyth police station after his arrest.
An officer can be heard saying "I'll have to book you in now, right?" and the video shows him being searched.
The court was also told about police interviews with Mr Bridger, which took place between 4 and 6 October.
The transcript of the interviews was 500 pages long, the jury heard.
Earlier on Thursday, the jury was taken to see Mr Bridger's vehicle and view the bicycles April and her friend were playing on when she disappeared.
After returning to court, the jury sent questions to the judge about the Land Rover, some of which would be answered in evidence the judge said.After returning to court, the jury sent questions to the judge about the Land Rover, some of which would be answered in evidence the judge said.
One of the questions related to whether a "Scantronic radio" device in the car worked.
The prosecution also ran through previous evidence including items found in the vehicle such as cable ties, masking tape and a packet of baby wipes.The prosecution also ran through previous evidence including items found in the vehicle such as cable ties, masking tape and a packet of baby wipes.
The jury has also heard an air rifle and handcuffs were found at his house.The jury has also heard an air rifle and handcuffs were found at his house.
After lunch, the court heard more details about Mr Bridger's arrest at the side of the road on the A487 near Machynlleth.After lunch, the court heard more details about Mr Bridger's arrest at the side of the road on the A487 near Machynlleth.
He was handcuffed and searched and a wooden-handled lock knife was found in his back trouser pocket.He was handcuffed and searched and a wooden-handled lock knife was found in his back trouser pocket.
The jury was told items taken from Mr Bridger included a head torch, iPhone and two high-visibility jackets. His walking boots were said to be "sodden and muddy".The jury was told items taken from Mr Bridger included a head torch, iPhone and two high-visibility jackets. His walking boots were said to be "sodden and muddy".
Footage of him being checked into the police station after he was arrested has also been shown. Earlier, Elwen Evans QC, prosecuting, talked about text messages Mr Bridger sent on the day April went missing to his former girlfriend.
Earlier, Elwen Evans QC, prosecuting, talked about text messages Mr Bridger sent the day before April went missing, including to a woman on the Isle of Wight which said "hi sweetheart" and "I'll be dead and buried before I find the right one again".
On the day April disappeared, there was also a text message exchange between Mr Bridger and his former girlfriend Vicky Fenner.
He texted: "You were my baby my everything... for what it's worth I'm still in love with you."
The court also heard Mr Bridger worked at an abattoir in Llanidloes as an "operative" between October 2009 and January 2010 then in "quality assurance" between January 2010 and February 2012.The court also heard Mr Bridger worked at an abattoir in Llanidloes as an "operative" between October 2009 and January 2010 then in "quality assurance" between January 2010 and February 2012.
The jury heard he had "access to an array of knives and he was skilled in both boning and skinning".The jury heard he had "access to an array of knives and he was skilled in both boning and skinning".
Mr Bridger's claim of military service was also discussed with the prosecution previously saying it was a "lie and a fantasy".Mr Bridger's claim of military service was also discussed with the prosecution previously saying it was a "lie and a fantasy".
Facebook picturesFacebook pictures
Written evidence from a staff sergeant with the Royal Military Police said: "The following names came back as negative on our military systems so have never served in any UK regular or reserve force."Written evidence from a staff sergeant with the Royal Military Police said: "The following names came back as negative on our military systems so have never served in any UK regular or reserve force."
The name searched for was Mark Leonard Bridger. The statement added the database had no access to records for foreign forces or mercenary details.The name searched for was Mark Leonard Bridger. The statement added the database had no access to records for foreign forces or mercenary details.
The jury was also told that Mr Bridger was employed by London Fire Brigade for six months in 1984.The jury was also told that Mr Bridger was employed by London Fire Brigade for six months in 1984.
On Wednesday, the court heard that Mr Bridger had viewed Facebook pictures of April and her half sisters as well as other local girls on his computer which contained dozens of pictures of pornographic cartoons and naked children.On Wednesday, the court heard that Mr Bridger had viewed Facebook pictures of April and her half sisters as well as other local girls on his computer which contained dozens of pictures of pornographic cartoons and naked children.
Photographs of real-life crime, including pictures of young murder victims such as Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman from Soham, were also among images found.Photographs of real-life crime, including pictures of young murder victims such as Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman from Soham, were also among images found.
The jury has previously heard that April's blood was found in several locations around his home.The jury has previously heard that April's blood was found in several locations around his home.
As well as abduction and murder, Mr Bridger also denies intending to pervert the course of justice.As well as abduction and murder, Mr Bridger also denies intending to pervert the course of justice.
The case continues.The case continues.