Soham accused in court via video

BRITAIN: The woman charged in connection with the murder of schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman appeared in court yesterday…

BRITAIN: The woman charged in connection with the murder of schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman appeared in court yesterday via a video link. Ms Maxine Carr (25) spoke softly to confirm her personal details and that she could hear proceedings during her appearance at a court in Peterborough, Cambridgeshire.

Charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice during the hunt for the 10-year-olds, she was remanded in custody for 28 days to appear next on September 27th.

Ms Carr did not appear in person to avoid the angry scenes which marred her first appearance when many in a 500-strong crowd shouted abuse and waved placards as she arrived at and left the court.

Yesterday, flanked by a prison officer as she sat in Holloway Prison, north London, Ms Carr appeared distressed through much of the hearing and on more than one occasion buried her face in her hands.

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Ms Carr, of Soham, Cambridgeshire, is a former teaching assistant in Holly's and Jessica's class at St Andrew's Primary School in Soham. Her partner, Mr Ian Huntley (28) is accused of the girls' murder.

After the hearing Ms Carr's solicitor, Mr Roy James, said he had supported the judge's decision to raise the issue of publicity and remind journalists of the dangers of contempt of court. - (PA)