A witness has told a court when he first saw Danielle Jones speaking to a man in a blue van, he thought she had found herself an older boyfriend.

Steven Hutson, of Bure, East Tilbury, was giving evidence at Chelmsford Crown Court in the trial of Stuart Campbell, accused of abducting and killing the 15-year-old girl.

The outdoor pursuit instructor told the jury he had regularly seen Danielle walk past his home two or three mornings a week for the past three years.

While he did not know her name or speak to her, he said he noticed her because she was "distinctive".

When asked he said his impression of Danielle did not match that reported in newspaper articles or on the television news.

He said: "She was quite tall for her age and I would say she was leggy. She wasn't slim like a rake, but not big."

He added she would often be leading from the front of the group of friends rather than skulking at the back.

As he drove to work he said he noticed a blue Ford Transit-type van in Coronation Avenue parked by the side of the road. As he approached it from behind he could see the rear windows had been blocked out so people could not see in.

He also noticed Danielle standing at the passenger door, talking to someone inside.

As he passed the van he glanced at the driver who had their back to him.

He told the court: "He was white, dark hair, aged late 20s to early 30s.

"It seemed strange. It didn't seem right. I thought 'oh, she's got an older boyfriend'. I'd been away for a few days and thought 'she's a bit quick - he's giving her a lift to school already'. That's what went through my mind."

Defence barrister Michael Borrelli QC presented copies of the Evening Echo's sister paper, the Thurrock Gazette, and the Yellow Advertiser, suggesting the papers had placed the suggestion of a blue van in Mr Hutson's mind before he gave his main statement police.

However, Mr Hutson denied he read any of the papers, except for the property section, and could not remember reading anything about a blue van.

He said: "It was definitely Danielle that I saw. It was definitely a van."

Stuart Campbell, 44, of Meadow Road, Grays, denies the abduction and murder of Danielle Jones, of Hayle, East Tilbury. The case continues

Follow the case day by day in the Evening Echo

Published Wednesday October 30, 2002