Sion Jenkins 'kicked Billie-Jo'

Billie-Jo was beaten to death with a metal tent spike in 1997

Sion Jenkins kicked his foster daughter Billie-Jo "aggressively" on an injured ankle a few months before she died, a family friend has told the Old Bailey.

The court also heard former deputy head teacher Mr Jenkins delayed calling 999 as Billie-Jo lay in a pool of blood after the attack which killed her.

The prosecution says he murdered the 13-year-old at their home in Hastings, East Sussex, then tried to cover it up.

Mr Jenkins, 47, who now lives in Aberystwyth in Wales, denies murder.

'Proper, aggressive kick'

Billie-Jo suffered severe head injuries after being struck at least five times as she painted doors at the family home, in Lower Park Road, Hastings, in February 1997.

It is alleged Mr Jenkins killed her and then tried to cover his tracks when he returned home with two of his natural daughters later the same day.

Family friend Peter Gaimster told the court on Thursday he had seen Mr Jenkins kick Billie-Jo while they were on holiday in France in August 1996.

He said Mr Jenkins kicked his foster daughter as she lay on a bed settee after she twisted her ankle while playing nearby.

Sion Jenkins denies murdering his foster daughter Billie-Jo

Mr Gaimster said: "There is no such thing as a playful kick. It was a proper, aggressive kick.

"He was furious, he was angry."

Mr Gaimster said Mr Jenkins then turned round to see him standing in the doorway and afterwards "behaved very calmly".

He said Mr Jenkins had been annoyed that Billie-Jo had had an accident and had told her: "You are always hurting yourself when I go away - every time there is something wrong."

Earlier on Thursday prosecutor Nicholas Hilliard told the Old Bailey the prosecution did not believe an account Mr Jenkins gave to police.

Mr Jenkins allegedly told police he found Billie-Jo lying on the patio with "lots of blood round her head", took his two daughters into a playroom, went back outside and immediately "knew what had happened was not an accident".

His account also said: "I felt uneasy to let them [his two daughters] out of my sight and went into the hall to call an ambulance."

Mr Hilliard told the jury: "We do not accept he was giving a truthful account.

"He was trying to avoid doing anything to help her."

The trial continues.