Tabak strangled Jo Yeates 'for 20 seconds'

KILLER Vincent Tabak claims he strangled Jo Yeates for 20 seconds after she screamed when he put his arm around her.

Brief extracts from Tabak's defence statement were read out to a jury for the first time at his murder trial today as the pathologist who inspected her body was re-examined by the prosecution.

Tabak, who admits manslaughter but denies murder, claims he initially put his hand over her mouth using "no more than moderate force", Nigel Lickley QC told Bristol Crown Court.

Referring to Tabak's statement, the prosecutor said: "He removed the hand from the mouth and the screaming continued and then he put the hand around the throat.

"He believes it was the one from around her back and held it there for about 20 seconds."

In the statement, Tabak, 33, claims he "didn't intend death or serious injury", Mr Lickley added.  More Here