'Family murdered 27 years ago'

Jonathan and Victoria Allen disappeared in 1975

A 68-year-old pensioner has gone on trial accused of murdering his family more than 27 years ago.

Anthony John Allen of Poole in Dorset pleaded not guilty on Monday to killing his wife Patricia and their children.

Mrs Allen, seven-year-old Jonathan and five-year-old Victoria vanished in May 1975.

Mark Evans QC, prosecuting, told Plymouth Crown Court the three were certainly dead, although no bodies had ever been found.

It is as if they disappeared off the face of the earth

Mark Evans QC

Mr Allen wanted his family out of the way because of his affair with Eunice Yabsley, a restaurant owner from Salcombe, the prosecution alleges.

No one has seen or heard of Mrs Allen since 26 May 1975, or the children since 28 May 1975.

Mr Evans said: "It is as if they disappeared off the face of the Earth.

"The Crown say there is only one candidate who appears responsible and that is Allen."

Patricia Allen's body has never been found

Mrs Allen did not take clothes or toys for herself or the children, had no passport and has never used her bank account again, the court heard.

At the time of their disappearance the family were living in a flat in Salcombe, South Devon.

Police first started a murder hunt in September 1975, in which Mr Allen was interviewed and arrested but later freed.

The case was reviewed on the 25th anniversary of the event in 2000 when Mrs Allen and the children remained on the missing persons' register.