The uncle accused of murdering schoolgirl Danielle Jones could be seen "posing" near where a school bus dropped the 15-year-old and her pals off home, a jury heard.

One of Danielle's best friends, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was in the witness box on Friday and told how she remembers seeing Stuart Campbell near the bus drop-off point in Coronation Avenue, East Tilbury.

The teenage witness told Chelmsford Crown Court that between April and May leading up to Danielle's disappearance her uncle was in a car park near the bus stop around "once every two weeks".

In a whispered tone, the youngster told the jury how Campbell would be seen "stood with his arms folded as if he was posing".

The teenager said when spotted he would be parked outside Stamford House, near Coronation Avenue, which is only minutes from the Jones' family home in Hayle on the East Tilbury estate.

Orlando Pownall QC, prosecuting, asked her to describe how Danielle reacted when she saw her uncle in the car park.

She said normally Danielle "didn't seem bothered" but on June 4, just a fortnight before she disappeared, the court was told how Danielle let out a "groan".

Mr Pownall asked the girl "was anything said by him to Danielle or by Danielle to him?".

She replied "Yes."

Mr Pownall said: "What was said?"

"She told him she was going to the shops, one by the bus stop and one by the corner."

Mr Pownall asked: "How did he respond?"

The teenage witness said: "He said he would come with us and said he would give Danielle a lift around to her house."

Mr Pownall: "Did she agree?"

The witness said: "No."

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

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Published Monday October 21, 2002

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