Jenkins back in court

Former deputy head teacher Sion Jenkins denied murdering his foster daughter Billie-Jo when he appeared for a short hearing at the Old Bailey today.

Jenkins, who is on conditional bail, will provisionally stand trial at the court on April 5 next year.

Six years ago Jenkins, 46, from Aberystwyth, Wales, was jailed for life after he was convicted of battering 13-year-old Billie-Jo to death with an 18-in metal tent spike as she was painting a patio door at their home in Hastings, East Sussex, on February 15, 1997.

But the Court of Appeal ruled in July that new forensic science evidence made his original conviction unsafe and a retrial was ordered.

Billie-Jo's natural father attended today's hearing held in a packed courtroom - as did Jenkins own father.

Jenkins, dressed in a navy blazer, blue shirt and fawn trousers, spoke only to confirm his name and plead not guilty when the charge was put to him.

He is accused of murdering Billie-Jo on February 15, 1997.