Video link for Carr's court date
A woman accused of perverting the course of justice following the disappearance of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman was today answering questions via a prison video link as a crown court judge hears details of her case for the first time.
Maxine Carr, 25, of Soham will not make the journey to Peterborough Crown Court because authorities want to avoid a repeat of the ugly scenes which surrounded her appearance before magistrates in Peterborough a week ago.
On that occasion a crowd of about 500 people gathered outside the court and shouted abuse as Carr, a former teaching assistant in Holly and Jessica’s class, arrived and left in a van.
Judge Nicholas Coleman yesterday decided to allow Carr to give video evidence from Holloway Prison in north London after hearing representations from lawyers in the case.
The judge said the prosecution had been behind the original application, backed by the defence lawyers, and that Carr had agreed to the move.
“This process is commonly used in serious cases heard in other parts of the country and therefore is to be welcomed. The defendant is not entering a plea at this stage.
“Provided a defendant appears on the video link screen they are present in court to all intent and purposes. It saves considerable time and expense.”
He added: “The defence support the application. Miss Carr has consented.
“She will be present at the hearing by video link and will have an opportunity to consult with her advisers prior to the hearing.”
Holly and Jessica, both 10 and from Soham, vanished while walking near Soham Village College on August 4. Their bodies were found near a track in Wangford, Suffolk, on August 17.
The secondary school remained sealed off last night as police investigating the deaths of Holly and Jessica, who were pupils at the neighbouring St Andrews primary, continue to search for clues.
Carr’s partner, former village college caretaker Ian Huntley, 28, has been charged with the girls’ murders and is being held at a high security hospital under the terms of mental health legislation.
He has yet to appear in court.
* The girls will be remembered at a special service in Ely Cathedral, near Soham tomorrow. Nearly 2,000 people, including the youngsters’ families, are expected to attend.
