Jenkins freed ahead of retrial

Sion Jenkins was jailed for life after being convicted in 1998

Former deputy head teacher Sion Jenkins, now facing a retrial for the alleged murder of his foster daughter Billie-Jo, has been freed on bail.

The 46-year-old had been convicted in 1998 for the murder of Billie-Jo, 13, in Hastings, East Sussex, in 1997.

Last month, appeal judges quashed the original conviction and said fresh forensic evidence made it unsafe.

Mr Jenkins left Belmarsh Prison at 2020 BST on Monday after his application for bail was granted at the Old Bailey.

Trial preparations

Following the decision to grant bail, his father, David Jenkins, said he was pleased his son would soon be at home.

He said: "We absolutely delighted Sion has been allowed bail.

"He has been six-and-a-half years in a Category A prison.

"After all these years you need space and perhaps silence in order to prepare for the retrial."

Mr Jenkins' bail application was heard at the Old Bailey on Monday when he was granted conditional bail.

Website removed

Mr Jenkins, originally from Aberystwyth, mid Wales, was jailed for life after being found guilty of battering his foster daughter to death with an 18-inch metal tent spike.

Mr Jenkins has now been given conditional bail - his brother is providing a £50,000 surety and his father is providing a further £250,000 surety.

The conditions state that Mr Jenkins must live with his father in Aberystwyth and report to police daily.

Mrs Justice Rafferty also ordered that Mr Jenkins should not take part in any press conferences.

The campaign website, Justice for Sion Jenkins, is to be taken off the internet.

The hearing was held in chambers without the press or public being allowed in.