Defence sums up in murder trial

Mike Baldwin denies murdering his teenage stepdaughter

The defence has been summing up its arguments in the trial of Mike Baldwin, who is accused of murdering his teenage stepdaughter.

The jury at Cardiff Crown Court heard Mr Baldwin - who denies murder - killed 15-year-old Jenna by accidentally knocking her down the stairs during a row.

The 36-year-old security guard from Abersychan, near Pontypool, south Wales, says he then panicked and buried her body in a shallow grave at a local beauty spot.

Peter Murphy, QC, defending, said the blow which led to Jenna's death was an "instinctive reaction which was both fast-moving and unexpected."

The court heard that Mr Baldwin swung out after Jenna hit him on the back of the neck.

Mr Baldwin was like the little boy who cried wolf - when he finally told the truth, no one believed him Peter Murphy, defining counsel

Mr Baldwin has admitted pretending to be Jenna in a series of phone calls and text messages to her family, in an attempt to make them think she had run away and was still alive.

Speaking to the jury, Mr Murphy stressed Mr Baldwin was on trial for murder.

"You have heard much about lies but it is important to remember that the defendant is not on trial for lying, but for murder.

"Mr Baldwin was like the little boy who cried wolf.

"When he finally told the truth, no one believed him."

On Thursday, the prosecution summed up its case, labelling Mr Baldwin "a skilled liar".

The judge is due to make his closing speech on Monday, before the jury retires to consider its verdict.