BBC correspondent Clarence Mitchell reports from outside the court

The accused, Sion Jenkins, 41, is charged with killing 13-year-old Billie-Jo Jenkins on February 15 last year.

Billie-Jo, who had been fostered by Jenkins and his wife Lois for four years, was killed as she painted the patio doors of her foster family's home in Hastings, East Sussex.

Billie-Jo murdered as she painted patio doors

She died of massive head injuries after being repeatedly struck with an object, believed to be a metal tent peg.

Billie-Jo was the natural daughter of east London couple, Bill Jenkins and Debbie Woods.

Scuffles broke out outside the court as the former headmaster arrived for the first day of his trial on Wednesday. Mr Justice Gage heard legal argument during the day at Lewes Crown Court in East Sussex and the trial is expected to begin on Thursday.

Billie-Jo's natural father spat at Sion Jenkins, verbally abused him and attempted to push him as the teacher was hurried into the court flanked by two minders.

The teenager's natural mother was also at court on Wednesday morning. She and Billie-Jo's father are estranged.

Sion Jenkins appealing for information about Billie-Jo's death before he was charged with her murder

Sion Jenkins was arrested and charged with Billie-Jo's murder a month after her death.

Jenkins, who has been suspended from his post as deputy headmaster of the William Parker School for boys in Hastings since his arrest, denies the charge.

The former teacher, who has been on conditional bail after his father David helped raise a £250,000 surety with the help of former Kwik-Fit chairman Sir Tom Farmer, is appearing at Lewes Crown Court, East Sussex.

The trial is expected to last three to four weeks.

Defence counsel is Anthony Scrivener QC, who has represented Lee Clegg and Dame Shirley Porter in recent high-profile cases. The Crown is represented by Richard Camden-Pratt QC.