Allen jury retires to consider verdict

Jonathan and Victoria Allen disappeared in 1975

The jury in the trial of Anthony John Allen has retired to consider its verdict.

Exeter Crown Court heard on Wednesday how Mr Allen, accused of murdering his wife and children 27 years ago,"cannot distinguish between truth and lies".

Prosecutor Mark Evans QC told Exeter Crown Court he "fitted all the facts together in a way which suits him".

He said Mr Allen, of South Western Crescent, Poole, Dorset, stood in the witness box "reciting this fabrication as if it were the truth".

Patricia Allen's body has never been found

Mr Allen, 68, denies murdering 39-year-old Patricia Allen, and their children Jonathan and Victoria in May 1975.

He said his wife left their home in Salcombe, Devon, after a row, then returned to take the children with her.

"I miss them to this day," he told the court on Tuesday.

He said his wife had left him after him after an argument, then collected the children a day later.

"I thought she was with another man," Mr Allen said.

When asked about what attempts he had made to trace his family he said he had written to the US Embassy in 1976 inquiring about his family who may be living in New Hampshire, USA.

He agreed with Mr Evans that later in 1976 the police had suggested he had murdered his children.

"No theories"

Mr Allen said he had denied it, adding: "There is no evidence that is the case."

He added that he hoped because of the "massive publicity" at that time Patricia would have sent something or made a telephone call.

Mr Evans suggested that for all he knew the police were going to knock on his door and charge him with murder.

"I never thought that," said Mr Allen.

When asked why he was so confident he replied: "I did not kill them. That is why I am confident."

When Mr Evans suggested that Mr Allen started a new life with Mrs Yabsley immediately after his family left he said: "I had numerous affairs.

"I had not found it necessary to leave my wife or do away with my wife."

Mr Evans told the court there was some evidence of opportunity, ability and experience, but the jury should not speculate on mechanism or means.

"We have no theories about how Pat and the children actually met their deaths," he said.

"We simply do not know, and it would be wrong to speculate."