The mum of teenager Danielle Jones wept in the witness box when a "sorry" letter from her daughter was read out at Chelmsford Crown Court.
Tears welled in Linda Jones's eyes during her cross-examination by Michael Borrelli, QC.
Linda, 42, was in the box for the second day running on day four of the trial of her brother-in-law, Stuart Campbell, who is accused of abducting and murdering 15-year-old Danielle.
Campbell, a self-employed builder of Meadow Road, Grays, denies both charges.
Mum-of-three Linda was coping well under the strain of cross-examination until the point Danielle's letter, penned in March last year, was read out to jurors.
Mr Borrelli QC, defending Campbell, read the note aloud as Linda gazed at her copy of it - as she tried to hold back the tears Mr Borrelli started to ask his questions.
He read from the letter "I am really sorry for what I have done and the things I have said to you" then asked Linda to explain what was meant by her daughter's line.
Tearful Linda said in a quiet tone: "She would not always do what she was asked."
Mr Borrelli continued by quoting another line from the letter "I have been thinking about what I have done and I know you will never be able to forgive me" before asking Linda to explain.
Visibly becoming more distressed, Linda murmured: "She pushed me to the point where I smacked her."
Mr Borrelli then read another line "I am sorry for lying to you" and asked what lies were referred to.
Linda replied that it was in reference to a party Danielle's friend was having.
She explained Danielle was supposed to have told her friend she was not allowed to go, but hadn't.
Finally, Mr Borrelli went on to quote from the letter "just asking for one more chance, I am sorry and I love you, ps, I will try with dad."
Clearly struggling to keep her compusure, Linda managed to say: "She would try not to bicker."
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 Tuesday October 15, 2002
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