The father of Danielle Jones suspected her uncle was "inappropriately" touching her - but did not say anything as he feared a family bust-up, a jury heard.

Tony Jones was giving evidence at Stuart Campbell's trial for the murder of the 15-year-old East Tilbury schoolgirl.

Mr Jones, 42, said his sister Debbie - Campbell's wife - would have denied here was anything wrong and "gone berserk", Chelmsford Crown Court heard.

Michael Borrelli QC, defending Campbell, said to Mr Jones: "Had there been inappropriate contact you would have said something, wouldn't you?"

Mr Jones replied: "I wanted to be 100 per cent sure about everything. I did not want to cause a big row for nothing."

Prosecutor Orlando Pownall QC said to Mr Jones: "Had you accused Mr Campbell of touching your daughter inappropriately how do you think your sister would have reacted?"

Danielle's dad replied: "She would have said 'no way' and would have really gone berserk."

Earlier, Mr Pownall said: "Dealing with your observation of the relationship between the defendant and Danielle, did the defendant ever have any physical contact with your daughter?"

Mr Jones said: "I remember him putting his arm around her sometimes at our house and at their house."

Mr Jones then motioned the action of putting an arm around a shoulder.

Mr Pownall went on: "At that time, would they be standing up or would they be sitting down?"

Mr Jones: "Sitting down."

"Where did his hand lay?" Mr Pownall asked.

Mr Jones said: "Over her shoulder and then near her breast."

Mr Pownall asked: "Did you say anything to him on any of these occasions?"

Mr Jones replied: "No I didn't."

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 Friday October 18, 2002

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