Updated 1.03pm
THE MAN ACCUSED of abducting and killing a young Welsh girl has pleaded ‘not guilty’ to all charges in court today.
April Jones went missing from her estate in Machynlleth on 1 October last year. Local man, Mark Bridger (47) has been charged with her abduction and murder.
He entered pleas of ‘not guilty’ at Mold Crown Court earlier today, reports BBC News.
According to Sky News, Bridger also pleaded ‘not guilty’ to charges of unlawfully disposing of and concealing a body with intent to pervert the course of justice.
April’s parents Coral and Paul Jones attended the court hearing this morning.
Police in Wales resumed the search to find the missing five-year-old on 7 January following a two-week break for the Christmas period.
Currently, there are 16 search teams involved in the operation, including a number of dog teams.
April was last seen riding her bicycle in the Bryn-y-gog estate of Machynlleth. Her disappearance led to one of the biggest police searches the UK has ever seen.
According to Bridger’s defence team, he will admit to being responsible for April’s death, but not to her murder.
A trial date has been set for 25 February. It is expected to last for about four weeks and no evidence mentioned in court will be reported publicly.
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