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10/12/2003
Huntley a 'capable and convincing liar', jury told
The prosecution in the Soham murder trial began closing arguments at the Old Bailey today after two days of adjournments following an illness of one of the 12-member jury.
The court was told today that Ian Huntley was a "capable and convincing liar" and that the motivation for murder was linked to "something sexual".
Ian Huntley, 29, denies charges of murdering 10-year-old schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman shortly after they went missing in Soham, Cambridgeshire, on August 4 2003. He has admitted that he was responsible for their deaths but that both had died in tragic accidents.
He has admitted to conspiring to pervert the course of justice.
Prosecuting counsel Richard Latham QC also told the court that both girls had died as a result of Mr Huntley's "selfish self-interests because each was a witness".
Mr Latham also described Maxine Carr as a "liar", following testimony in which she admitted to misleading police officers as to her whereabouts on the day that Holly and Jessica died.
Ms Carr, 26, claimed that Mr Huntley was a "very controlling" person who had suggested that she tell police she was at Huntley's home with him on August 4. She had in fact been at her mother's house in Grimsby at the time.
However, Maxine Carr told the court that she had not believed that her boyfriend had been involved in the disappearance of the two girls and that his admission in court was the first time she had heard it.
In media interviews during the 12 days between Holly and Jessica's disappearance and the discovery of their bodies in Lakenheath, Mr Latham said that, in interviews with the media, Maxine Carr had lied "through her teeth about the important thing - that she was present on the Sunday, which she was not".
Former classroom assistant Maxine Carr is accused of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and two counts of assisting an offender. She denies the charges.
The jury is expected to begin considering its verdict on Friday.
The case continues with defence counsel's summing up later today.
(gmcg)
The court was told today that Ian Huntley was a "capable and convincing liar" and that the motivation for murder was linked to "something sexual".
Ian Huntley, 29, denies charges of murdering 10-year-old schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman shortly after they went missing in Soham, Cambridgeshire, on August 4 2003. He has admitted that he was responsible for their deaths but that both had died in tragic accidents.
He has admitted to conspiring to pervert the course of justice.
Prosecuting counsel Richard Latham QC also told the court that both girls had died as a result of Mr Huntley's "selfish self-interests because each was a witness".
Mr Latham also described Maxine Carr as a "liar", following testimony in which she admitted to misleading police officers as to her whereabouts on the day that Holly and Jessica died.
Ms Carr, 26, claimed that Mr Huntley was a "very controlling" person who had suggested that she tell police she was at Huntley's home with him on August 4. She had in fact been at her mother's house in Grimsby at the time.
However, Maxine Carr told the court that she had not believed that her boyfriend had been involved in the disappearance of the two girls and that his admission in court was the first time she had heard it.
In media interviews during the 12 days between Holly and Jessica's disappearance and the discovery of their bodies in Lakenheath, Mr Latham said that, in interviews with the media, Maxine Carr had lied "through her teeth about the important thing - that she was present on the Sunday, which she was not".
Former classroom assistant Maxine Carr is accused of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice and two counts of assisting an offender. She denies the charges.
The jury is expected to begin considering its verdict on Friday.
The case continues with defence counsel's summing up later today.
(gmcg)
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02 December 2003
Soham murder accused admits killing Jessica Chapman
Ian Huntley, the man accused of murdering two 10-year-old schoolgirls in Soham last August, has today admitted that he was responsible for the death of Jessica Chapman. Mr Huntley, who denies murdering the girls, was in the witness box at the Old Bailey today to give evidence during the second day of the defence case.
Soham murder accused admits killing Jessica Chapman
Ian Huntley, the man accused of murdering two 10-year-old schoolgirls in Soham last August, has today admitted that he was responsible for the death of Jessica Chapman. Mr Huntley, who denies murdering the girls, was in the witness box at the Old Bailey today to give evidence during the second day of the defence case.
04 December 2003
Maxine Carr distances herself from Ian Huntley
During evidence to the Old Bailey today, Maxine Carr lashed out at her former boyfriend saying she would not take the blame for "what that thing in the box has done to me", referring to Ian Huntley. Ms Carr, 26, told the court that she had been forced to lie to police by her "very controlling" boyfriend.
Maxine Carr distances herself from Ian Huntley
During evidence to the Old Bailey today, Maxine Carr lashed out at her former boyfriend saying she would not take the blame for "what that thing in the box has done to me", referring to Ian Huntley. Ms Carr, 26, told the court that she had been forced to lie to police by her "very controlling" boyfriend.
26 November 2003
Huntley was charged with rape in 1998, court hears
Ian Huntley, the man accused of murdering Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, had been charged with the rape a girl five years ago, the Old Bailey has been told today.
Huntley was charged with rape in 1998, court hears
Ian Huntley, the man accused of murdering Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, had been charged with the rape a girl five years ago, the Old Bailey has been told today.
08 December 2003
Soham murder trial adjourned after juror falls ill
The Soham murder trial, which was due to begin hearing closing arguments today, has been adjourned after a juror fell ill. A decision on how and when the trial will proceed will be made pending a doctor's report.
Soham murder trial adjourned after juror falls ill
The Soham murder trial, which was due to begin hearing closing arguments today, has been adjourned after a juror fell ill. A decision on how and when the trial will proceed will be made pending a doctor's report.
12 February 2004
Maxine Carr's bid for early release is denied
Maxine Carr's bid for early release under an electronic tagging scheme has failed. The Prison Service confirmed today that the head of the National Offender Management Scheme, Martin Narey, had turned down Carr's application on the basis that her release would undermine public confidence.
Maxine Carr's bid for early release is denied
Maxine Carr's bid for early release under an electronic tagging scheme has failed. The Prison Service confirmed today that the head of the National Offender Management Scheme, Martin Narey, had turned down Carr's application on the basis that her release would undermine public confidence.
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