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)