Joanna Yeates neighbour admits manslaughter
Dutch engineer Vincent Tabak pleads guilty to the killing of 25-year-old Joanna Yeates, but denies murder at a hearing before the Old Bailey. Darshna Soni reports on the latest developments.
Vincent Tabak on Thursday admitted the manslaughter of his next-door neighbour Joanna Yeates, whose body was found dumped on Christmas Day.
Miss Yeates, 25, who lived in Clifton, Bristol, disappeared on 17 December after going for Christmas drinks with colleagues.
Her boyfriend Greg Reardon, 27, reported her missing after returning to Bristol on 19 December following a weekend away in Sheffield. Her frozen body was later found by dog walkers on a verge in a lane in Failand, north Somerset, on Christmas Day.
Plea
Tabak, a 33-year-old Dutch national, denies he murdered the 25-year-old. Wearing a dark suit and glasses he appeared at the hearing via video link from HMP Long Lartin in Worcestershire.
Miss Yeates’ parents David and Theresa were at the Old Bailey as Tabak gave his plea.
The prosecution has refused to accept his manslaughter plea and a murder trial will go ahead on 4 October.
The charge states that Tabak “unlawfully killed” the 25-year-old between December 16 and December 19. The trial is expected to last four weeks.
Miss Yeates’ landlord, Chris Jefferies, 66, was arrested in December and questioned by police before being released on bail.