This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2013/sep/16/april-jones-funeral-inquest
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| April Jones funeral to go ahead after inquest ends formal proceedings | April Jones funeral to go ahead after inquest ends formal proceedings |
| (1 day later) | |
| The parents of the murdered five-year-old schoolgirl April Jones can finally begin to plan their daughter's funeral after an inquest was held almost a year after she vanished. | The parents of the murdered five-year-old schoolgirl April Jones can finally begin to plan their daughter's funeral after an inquest was held almost a year after she vanished. |
| April was abducted as she played near her home by former abattoir worker Mark Bridger, who murdered her and disposed of her body, which has never been found. | April was abducted as she played near her home by former abattoir worker Mark Bridger, who murdered her and disposed of her body, which has never been found. |
| Bridger, who is serving a whole-life term, has refused to say what he did with April's body, though officers recovered a few fragments of bones – believed to be those of the child – from his fireplace. These formed an important part of the prosecution case against Bridger. | Bridger, who is serving a whole-life term, has refused to say what he did with April's body, though officers recovered a few fragments of bones – believed to be those of the child – from his fireplace. These formed an important part of the prosecution case against Bridger. |
| Police and April's family believe they are pieces of the girl's skull, and following Bridger's conviction in May, discussions have been taking place between Dyfed-Powys police and the girl's parents about returning the remains. | Police and April's family believe they are pieces of the girl's skull, and following Bridger's conviction in May, discussions have been taking place between Dyfed-Powys police and the girl's parents about returning the remains. |
| April's parents, Coral and Paul, have made it clear that not having a body or so far being able to hold a funeral for the little girl has exacerbated the agony of their loss. | April's parents, Coral and Paul, have made it clear that not having a body or so far being able to hold a funeral for the little girl has exacerbated the agony of their loss. |
| They attended the brief inquest in Welshpool, mid-Wales, accompanied by two police family liaison officers. Although technically the file remains open, the Powys coroner, Louise Hunt, said there would be no further proceedings. | They attended the brief inquest in Welshpool, mid-Wales, accompanied by two police family liaison officers. Although technically the file remains open, the Powys coroner, Louise Hunt, said there would be no further proceedings. |
| Following the conclusion of Monday's hearing, a death certificate can be issued and April's death can be officially registered – allowing her family to have an official funeral. | Following the conclusion of Monday's hearing, a death certificate can be issued and April's death can be officially registered – allowing her family to have an official funeral. |
| Hunt told the parents: "I want to extend my sympathies for your terrible loss. There will be no further formal proceedings and I hope the coming to an end of them will give you time to allow you to deal with your grief." | Hunt told the parents: "I want to extend my sympathies for your terrible loss. There will be no further formal proceedings and I hope the coming to an end of them will give you time to allow you to deal with your grief." |
| The inquest, which had been given special permission to proceed by the chief coroner in the absence of a body, was formally opened and adjourned. Detective Superintendent Andy John, who led the investigation into April's disappearance from her home in Machynlleth, mid-Wales, gave a brief outline of the case. | The inquest, which had been given special permission to proceed by the chief coroner in the absence of a body, was formally opened and adjourned. Detective Superintendent Andy John, who led the investigation into April's disappearance from her home in Machynlleth, mid-Wales, gave a brief outline of the case. |
| John said April's family reported she had been abducted at 7.20pm on 1 October last year, prompting a "significant police response". | John said April's family reported she had been abducted at 7.20pm on 1 October last year, prompting a "significant police response". |
| He said: "This resulted in the arrest of Mark Leonard Bridger on 2 October. Following subsequent inquiries, Bridger was charged with the murder of April, child abduction and perverting the course of justice. This resulted in a criminal trial taking place from April 29 to May 30." | He said: "This resulted in the arrest of Mark Leonard Bridger on 2 October. Following subsequent inquiries, Bridger was charged with the murder of April, child abduction and perverting the course of justice. This resulted in a criminal trial taking place from April 29 to May 30." |
| Bridger was convicted of all three counts and handed a whole-life prison term, meaning he will die behind bars. John said that April's body had never been found, but she suffered a "violent death". He said on the "balance of probabilities", the youngster died at Bridger's cottage, Mount Pleasant in the village of Ceinws, just outside Machynlleth, on the day she was abducted. | Bridger was convicted of all three counts and handed a whole-life prison term, meaning he will die behind bars. John said that April's body had never been found, but she suffered a "violent death". He said on the "balance of probabilities", the youngster died at Bridger's cottage, Mount Pleasant in the village of Ceinws, just outside Machynlleth, on the day she was abducted. |
| The trial judge ruled that Bridger's crime was sexually motivated. After his arrest police found images of children being sexually abused on his laptop. | The trial judge ruled that Bridger's crime was sexually motivated. After his arrest police found images of children being sexually abused on his laptop. |
| Although no details were given of when or where April's funeral would take place, it is understood that mourners will be asked to wear pink, which was her favourite colour. It also became a symbol of hope in the wake of her disappearance, with scores of pink ribbons being put up by townsfolk. | Although no details were given of when or where April's funeral would take place, it is understood that mourners will be asked to wear pink, which was her favourite colour. It also became a symbol of hope in the wake of her disappearance, with scores of pink ribbons being put up by townsfolk. |
| Local councillor Michael Williams said: "I don't think it will be a final goodbye but it will be another step in remembering all the wonderful times that the family had together. | Local councillor Michael Williams said: "I don't think it will be a final goodbye but it will be another step in remembering all the wonderful times that the family had together. |
| "It will bring people together again in one place to remember the life of a little child that was taken so savagely from the family and community." | "It will bring people together again in one place to remember the life of a little child that was taken so savagely from the family and community." |
| April's disappearance sparked the biggest search in British police history. Following Bridger's conviction, Coral Jones expressed relief that Bridger would spend the rest of his time behind bars but said: "We still do not know where she is and this will always be a very painful thing for us to deal with." | April's disappearance sparked the biggest search in British police history. Following Bridger's conviction, Coral Jones expressed relief that Bridger would spend the rest of his time behind bars but said: "We still do not know where she is and this will always be a very painful thing for us to deal with." |
| John has previously said he believes the girl's body was dismembered and scattered in different locations, possibly including a river. Bridger's skill as a former abattoir worker and his knowledge of the area would have helped him hide the remains. | John has previously said he believes the girl's body was dismembered and scattered in different locations, possibly including a river. Bridger's skill as a former abattoir worker and his knowledge of the area would have helped him hide the remains. |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. | Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. |