Mark Bridger charged with abduction and murder of April
Police investigating the disappearance of five-year-old April Jones charge Mark Bridger with her abduction and murder.
Dyfed-Powys Police said the 46-year-old former lifeguard was also charged with perverting the course of justice.
April, five, went missing near her home on the Bryn-y-Gog estate in Machynlleth on Monday evening.
Bridger will appear before Aberystwyth Magistrates’ Court on Monday morning.
District crown prosecutor Iwan Jenkins said: “I now have to advise that, having carried out a detailed review of the evidence gathered so far by Dyfed-Powys Police, my conclusion is that there is sufficient evidence to charge Mark Bridger with the murder of April Jones, and that it is in the public interest to do so.
“I have also concluded that there is sufficient evidence to charge the defendant with attempting to pervert the course of justice and child abduction.”
Search continues
Police have vowed to continue the search for April.
Chief Constable Jackie Roberts said: “Our thoughts are very much with April’s family, friends and those who know her today.
“The last few days has seen us deal with one of the most complex and fast moving enquiries in the history of our Force and one our communities have never had to face before. It has been marked by the coming together of people from across the country with one aim in mind, to return April to her family.
“The community of Machynlleth and the surrounding areas turned out in force using social networks to get the message out and appeal for April’s safe return. To see so many people give up their time freely was truly humbling for everyone involved.
“I would like to pay tribute to the tremendous effort that has gone into trying to find April Jones this week. I have spent time with the family, and they are overwhelmed with the number of people who wanted to help in any way they possibly could.
“The search teams have faced an enormous challenge with the hostile terrain, the adverse weather and the logistics of searching such a beautiful but remote landscape. Everyone was working toward the same goal – to find April safe and well and reunite her with her family.”
READ MORE: Andy Davies on the extraordinary community spirit in Machynlleth as volunteers rally to help the emergency services.