05/11/2003

Huntley 'unlikely to dispute' girls died at his home

The jury at the trial of Soham murder accused Ian Huntley has been told that the defendant is "unlikely to dispute" that Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells died in his home.

Prosecuting counsel Richard Latham told the Old Bailey court today that the case would centre around whether or not "it could be construed that the deaths while he was there with them in his house amounted to murder".

Mr Huntley, 29, from Soham in Cambridgeshire, was charged on August 20 with the murder the two 10-year-old schoolgirls. He has admitted to one charge of conspiring to pervert the course of justice, but denies charges of murder.

His former girlfriend Maxine Carr has pleaded not guilty to two charges of helping an offender and one of conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

Holly and Jessica went missing whilst out walking in Soham on August 4. Their bodies were later found near Lakenheath, Surrey, on August 17.

The prosecution alleges that Mr Huntley killed the girls at his home "for some reason known only to him", and then dumped the bodies in the area that they were later discovered.

The case has been adjourned until tomorrow morning.

(gmcg)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

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.
09 June 2003
Soham murder accused in hospital
It has been reported today that Ian Huntley, the man charged in connection with the murders of Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells, has been taken to hospital following a "serious incident of self harm". It is understood that Mr Huntley was taken to Milton Keynes General Hospital at around 4am this morning suffering the effects of a drugs overdose.
19 September 2003
Trial of Soham murder accused postponed
The trial of the man accused of murdering schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman – which was due to go ahead next month – has been postponed until November 3. Ian Huntley, who has pleaded not guilty to the murder charges, had been due to stand trial on October 6.
16 April 2003
Soham murder accused pleas not guilty
The school janitor who is accused of murdering Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman has pleaded not guilty at the Old Bailey in London today. However, Ian Huntley admitted to one charge of conspiring to pervert the course of justice.
10 June 2003
Huntley improves after suicide bid
The man charged with the murders of Soham schoolgirls Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells has improved after yesterday's suicide bid. Ian Huntley was taken off life-support today after taking a drugs overdose at HMP Woodhill in Buckinghamshire yesterday morning. He was taken to Milton Keynes General Hospital at around 4am.