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April Jones: Bridger 'Confessed' To Priest

April Jones: Bridger 'Confessed' To Priest

Mark Bridger made a confession to a Catholic priest while on remand in Strangeways prison, it can be reported for the first time.

Bridger apparently confided in the prison chaplain, telling him he may have disposed of April Jones' body in a river.

Details of his cell-room confession emerged during legal argument in the trial but it was never heard by the jury.

The priest later told police about the admission, which was not made in a confessional.

Bridger's defence team admitted that he was "shocked" when he learned that the priest had spoken to police.

The prosecution decided not to include the confession as part of its case.

The River Dyfi, which runs through the edge of Machynlleth, was searched a number of times by police and no trace of April was ever found.

Police later played down the "confession", saying it was yet another of Bridger's stories.

Five-year-old April vanished while playing on her bike near her home in Machynlleth, Powys, on October 1 last year.

The morning after her abduction, Bridger was spotted close to the river carrying a black plastic bag.

He was also eventually arrested close to the riverbank after claiming he had been attempting to help in the search for the missing girl.

Bridger, 47, of Ceinws, has been found guilty by a jury at Mold Crown Court of abducting and murdering the child - charges he denied.

The defendant claimed he killed the youngster when he accidentally "crushed" her with his Land Rover but cannot remember what he did with the body because he was drunk and panicking.

Elwen Evans QC, prosecuting, told the jury Bridger's claim that April died in a car accident was a lie to cover up his "sexual" motivation for snatching the youngster.