Billie-Jo's killer 'opened gate'

Billie-Jo was killed at the back of the family home in Hastings

The stepsister of murdered school pupil Billie-Jo Jenkins found a gate open when she returned to the house where the girl was killed, a court has heard.

Billie-Jo was battered to death with a metal tent peg in the back garden of the family home in Hastings in 1997.

Her foster father Sion Jenkins, 47, denies murdering the 13-year-old.

The Old Bailey heard from his daughter Lottie that the gate was opened while she was out with her father who claims a mystery intruder was the killer.

Billie-Jo was murdered as she painted the patio doors of the family home in Lower Park Road, on 13 February 1997.

I just saw Billie lying on the floor with blood all over her Lottie Jenkins

On Thursday the jury were shown a video of a police interview with Lottie Jenkins, held the day after the murder.

Lottie, who was 10 years old at the time, said she had been out with her sister Annie, and her father.

She said they were going out to buy some white spirit, but returned home when her father realised he had left his money behind.

She said: "I just noticed the gate was open. I saw the rabbit hutch."

Billie-Jo was battered to death with an 18 inch iron tent peg

The girl told officers the side gate had been shut when they went out.

She said that when they came into the house they saw Billie-Jo on the ground.

"I went into the dining room. I just saw Billie lying on the floor with blood all over her," she said.

The court has also been shown a recording of an interview with Annie Jenkins, who was 12 at the time.

Annie said her father went through with her what had happened after Billie-Jo's death.

The prosecution claims Mr Jenkins, who now lives in Aberystwyth, Wales, coached Annie after Billie-Jo's death.

The jury have been told by judge Mrs Justice Rafferty to bear in mind the evidence the girls gave "cannot be tested in cross examination."

The case continues.