Man denies killing family over affair

Jonathan and Victoria Allen vanished in 1975

A bigamist husband accused of murdering his wife and children almost 30 years ago has denied he killed them because of an affair he was having.

Anthony John Allen, 68, is accused of killing his 39-year-old wife Patricia, and their children, seven-year-old Jonathan and five-year-old Victoria, in May 1975.

Mr Allen, of South Western Crescent, Poole, Dorset, admitted to an affair with widow Eunice Yabsley, when he began giving evidence at Exeter Crown Court.

The prosecution alleges he murdered his family so he could be with Ms Yabsley and get his hands on the Galley restaurant that she owned.

Allegations denied

When his defence counsel put the allegations to him, Mr Allen said: "I can understand the suggestion being made, but it is absolutely untrue. I did not at that stage want a long term relationship with Eunice."

The trial earlier heard how he faked his own death in 1967, and wed Patricia while still married to his original wife Monica.

Police inquiries into his family's disappearance began in September, 1975.

In 1977 the Director of Public Prosecutions ruled that there was insufficient evidence to bring a prosecution, but police re-opened the case in 2001 and Mr Allen was charged.

The trial was adjourned until Tuesday.