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21/06/2005
Waiter admits Caroline murder
Francisco Arce Montes, the Spanish waiter jailed for the murder of British schoolgirl Caroline Dickinson, has admitted killing her.
At the beginning of his automatic appeal, Mr Montes admitted attacking the 13-year-old, who was staying at a Brittany hostel during a school trip to France. However, he said that he did not intend to kill her.
Mr Montes described Caroline's death as "an accident, a misfortune" and he said that when he left the dormitory, he did not think she was dead.
Montes was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the rape and murder of Caroline in 1996.
Arrested in Detroit in the USA, five years after Caroline’s death, Montes was sent back to France to stand trial for her murder.
Two of Caroline’s former classmates, who shared a dormitory with the schoolgirl on the night she died, will give evidence in person for the first time at the trial, which is taking place in St Brieuc in Brittany. At the original trial, the evidence of the two girls was read out to the court.
Caroline’s family are also attending the trial. Speaking before the trial began, Caroline’s father, John Dickinson, said that he had been in “limbo” waiting for the trial to begin. He also admitted that the appeal was a “worry”, but said he was “confident” in the French legal system.
If Mr Montes is unsuccessful in this appeal against the conviction, under the French judicial system he will be entitled to one further appeal.
A ruling on the appeal case is expected next week.
(KMcA/SP)
At the beginning of his automatic appeal, Mr Montes admitted attacking the 13-year-old, who was staying at a Brittany hostel during a school trip to France. However, he said that he did not intend to kill her.
Mr Montes described Caroline's death as "an accident, a misfortune" and he said that when he left the dormitory, he did not think she was dead.
Montes was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the rape and murder of Caroline in 1996.
Arrested in Detroit in the USA, five years after Caroline’s death, Montes was sent back to France to stand trial for her murder.
Two of Caroline’s former classmates, who shared a dormitory with the schoolgirl on the night she died, will give evidence in person for the first time at the trial, which is taking place in St Brieuc in Brittany. At the original trial, the evidence of the two girls was read out to the court.
Caroline’s family are also attending the trial. Speaking before the trial began, Caroline’s father, John Dickinson, said that he had been in “limbo” waiting for the trial to begin. He also admitted that the appeal was a “worry”, but said he was “confident” in the French legal system.
If Mr Montes is unsuccessful in this appeal against the conviction, under the French judicial system he will be entitled to one further appeal.
A ruling on the appeal case is expected next week.
(KMcA/SP)
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28 June 2005
Caroline murder – conviction upheld
The killer of British schoolgirl Caroline Dickinson has lost his appeal against his murder conviction. Spaniard Francisco Arce Montes was jailed for 30 years last year for the rape and murder of 13-year-old Caroline in 1996. Caroline, who was from Cornwall, had been on a school trip to Brittany.
Caroline murder – conviction upheld
The killer of British schoolgirl Caroline Dickinson has lost his appeal against his murder conviction. Spaniard Francisco Arce Montes was jailed for 30 years last year for the rape and murder of 13-year-old Caroline in 1996. Caroline, who was from Cornwall, had been on a school trip to Brittany.
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.
29 July 2008
Spanish Mayor Plays Down 'Little Bomb' Blast
Although played down as "just a little hole in the sand" one teenage tourist required treatment for shock after a small bomb exploded early this morning on Torremolinos beach, near Malaga in the Costa del Sol. However, a large party of British holidaymakers staying close to the blast in the Aloha Puerto Hotel escaped without injury.
Spanish Mayor Plays Down 'Little Bomb' Blast
Although played down as "just a little hole in the sand" one teenage tourist required treatment for shock after a small bomb exploded early this morning on Torremolinos beach, near Malaga in the Costa del Sol. However, a large party of British holidaymakers staying close to the blast in the Aloha Puerto Hotel escaped without injury.
19 July 2007
British schoolgirls assaulted on French trip
Three British schoolgirls have been assaulted by a man in the French hostel room in which they were sleeping, it has been reported. The incident happened in the early hours of Sunday morning at the Pinede Youth Hostel in Saint-Brevin as the 13 and 14-year-old pupils from Kingsbridge Community College in south Devon slept.
British schoolgirls assaulted on French trip
Three British schoolgirls have been assaulted by a man in the French hostel room in which they were sleeping, it has been reported. The incident happened in the early hours of Sunday morning at the Pinede Youth Hostel in Saint-Brevin as the 13 and 14-year-old pupils from Kingsbridge Community College in south Devon slept.
23 June 2005
Witness tells court Caroline ‘called for her mum’
A friend of British schoolgirl Caroline Dickinson has told how she heard her call for her mum on the night she was killed. Ann Jasper, 22, was giving evidence at the retrial of Spanish waiter Francisco Arce Montes, who is appealing against his conviction for the 13-year-old’s murder.
Witness tells court Caroline ‘called for her mum’
A friend of British schoolgirl Caroline Dickinson has told how she heard her call for her mum on the night she was killed. Ann Jasper, 22, was giving evidence at the retrial of Spanish waiter Francisco Arce Montes, who is appealing against his conviction for the 13-year-old’s murder.
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