Menu
23/04/2012
10-Year-Old Girl Jumped From Window To Flee Attacker
A court has heard how a 10-year-old girl jumped from a window to escape a "horrible" man who was assaulting her mother, before shooting her dead.
The girl, now 11, is a witness in the case against 50-year-old David Oakes, who is accused of murdering his ex-partner Christine Chambers, 38, and their two-year-old daughter Shania, in June 2011.
Chelmsford Crown Court heard how the girl had fled by jumping from a window after Oakes had thrown a gun at her.
However, Mr Oakes denies the two counts of murder at the house in Braintree, Essex.
The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told the court Miss Chambers and Mr Oakes had broken up and were fighting over custody of Shania.
A video interview taken shortly after the attack was played to the court. The girl said: "He came in our house with lots of weapons.
"He came in when we were all about to go to sleep and mummy said, 'Get out of my house'."
The child described hearing somebody climbing the stairs shortly after midnight on 6 June.
"He turned the light on and said 'do you know why I'm here?’”, she said.
"He kept saying he was going to burn our house down. He made mummy cut off her hair a bit as well."
In the video, the girl said she had pleaded with Mr Oakes not to hurt her, Miss Chambers or Shania, the jury heard.
Mr Oakes allegedly responded: "Yeah, yeah."
Mr Oakes, of Canney Road, was treated for a gunshot injury in what the prosecution described as a failed suicide attempt during the incident.
He was not in court to hear the girl's evidence.
The trial continues.
(H)
The girl, now 11, is a witness in the case against 50-year-old David Oakes, who is accused of murdering his ex-partner Christine Chambers, 38, and their two-year-old daughter Shania, in June 2011.
Chelmsford Crown Court heard how the girl had fled by jumping from a window after Oakes had thrown a gun at her.
However, Mr Oakes denies the two counts of murder at the house in Braintree, Essex.
The girl, who cannot be named for legal reasons, told the court Miss Chambers and Mr Oakes had broken up and were fighting over custody of Shania.
A video interview taken shortly after the attack was played to the court. The girl said: "He came in our house with lots of weapons.
"He came in when we were all about to go to sleep and mummy said, 'Get out of my house'."
The child described hearing somebody climbing the stairs shortly after midnight on 6 June.
"He turned the light on and said 'do you know why I'm here?’”, she said.
"He kept saying he was going to burn our house down. He made mummy cut off her hair a bit as well."
In the video, the girl said she had pleaded with Mr Oakes not to hurt her, Miss Chambers or Shania, the jury heard.
Mr Oakes allegedly responded: "Yeah, yeah."
Mr Oakes, of Canney Road, was treated for a gunshot injury in what the prosecution described as a failed suicide attempt during the incident.
He was not in court to hear the girl's evidence.
The trial continues.
(H)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
05 June 2009
Girl 'Deliberately Starved To Death, Court Told
A seven-year-old girl was starved to death and kept a prisoner in her own home by her mother and her partner, a court has today heard. Khyra Ishaq was taken to hospital but died of an infection after being starved over a period of weeks or possibly even months.
Girl 'Deliberately Starved To Death, Court Told
A seven-year-old girl was starved to death and kept a prisoner in her own home by her mother and her partner, a court has today heard. Khyra Ishaq was taken to hospital but died of an infection after being starved over a period of weeks or possibly even months.
05 February 2015
Woman Charged With Murdering Baby
A woman has been charged with the murder of 10-month-old Chloe Sutherland, it has been reported. A 35-year-old woman, said to be the little girl's mother, made no plea or declaration during an appearance at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today. She has been remanded in custody.
Woman Charged With Murdering Baby
A woman has been charged with the murder of 10-month-old Chloe Sutherland, it has been reported. A 35-year-old woman, said to be the little girl's mother, made no plea or declaration during an appearance at Edinburgh Sheriff Court today. She has been remanded in custody.
12 June 2006
Paedophile jailed for 'life'
A convicted paedophile who abducted a three-year-old girl from her home and sexually assaulted her has been jailed for life. Craig Sweeney, 24, admitted kidnapping the three-year-old from her home in Cardiff on January 2, 2006.
Paedophile jailed for 'life'
A convicted paedophile who abducted a three-year-old girl from her home and sexually assaulted her has been jailed for life. Craig Sweeney, 24, admitted kidnapping the three-year-old from her home in Cardiff on January 2, 2006.
11 February 2014
Baby Girl Dies In Dog Attack
An 11-month-old baby has died after being mauled by a pet dog, police in Lancashire have said. The baby girl, from Emily Street in Blackburn, died in hospital at about 23:00 on Monday. Police have arrested a 26-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman on suspicion of child neglect in connection with the incident.
Baby Girl Dies In Dog Attack
An 11-month-old baby has died after being mauled by a pet dog, police in Lancashire have said. The baby girl, from Emily Street in Blackburn, died in hospital at about 23:00 on Monday. Police have arrested a 26-year-old man and a 20-year-old woman on suspicion of child neglect in connection with the incident.
22 August 2008
'Sugar, Spice and All Things Nice' - Mel C Expecting Baby
Mel C has revealed she is expecting her first baby. The Spice Girl, real name Melanie Chisholm - who has been with her partner Thomas Starr for six years, is the last member of the chart topping band to have a child. Fellow Spice Girl Melanie 'Scary' Brown, has two daughters.
'Sugar, Spice and All Things Nice' - Mel C Expecting Baby
Mel C has revealed she is expecting her first baby. The Spice Girl, real name Melanie Chisholm - who has been with her partner Thomas Starr for six years, is the last member of the chart topping band to have a child. Fellow Spice Girl Melanie 'Scary' Brown, has two daughters.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
