Ex-wife of Jenkins to testify

The former wife of Sion Jenkins is to give evidence for the Crown in the second appeal against his conviction for murdering his foster daughter Billie-Jo seven years ago.

Three appeal judges were told yesterday that Lois Jenkins, who divorced him soon after his conviction, had flown to Britain from her new home in Tasmania. Jenkins is calling two of her daughters, Lottie, 17, and Annie, 19, who were with him on the day of the killing, as alibi witnesses.

Jenkins, 46, was jailed for life for bludgeoning 13-year-old Billie-Jo with an 18in metal tent spike as she painted a patio door at their home in Hastings, East Sussex.The appeal, expected to last three weeks, starts tomorrow.