No DNA of man jailed for schoolgirl’s killing on body
NO DNA to link the man convicted of killing schoolgirl Janet Commins was found on forensic samples after a cold case review, a court has heard.
Detectives thought reopening the investigation into the 15-year-old’s death 41 years ago could establish a link to Noel Jones’ friend, Michael Orford, who was also arrested at the time.
Jones served half a 12-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to manslaughter, having signed two confession statements.
But he now says he was made a “scapegoat” because he was an illiterate gypsy.
The first statement said he had acted alone, but the second said Orford had raped Janet after he had. No evidence was ever offered against Orford.
Slides were examined by scientists in 2006 and when samples were taken from Jones and Orford in 2016, neither of their DNA was detected. Instead, Mold Crown Court heard a DNA profile that was established matched Stephen Anthony Hough, who is currently on trial at Mold Crown Court accused of raping and killing the teenager. He denies the charges.
Janet’s body was discovered in bushes on the grounds of Gwynedd School in Flint by children playing hide and seek on January 11, 1976.
Yesterday, the jury heard how in 2016 police had cause to take a mouth swab from 58-year-old Hough.
His DNA was entered into the national database and matched with samples from 1976, which were analysed by a DNA expert.
Today, as the prosecution finished making their case, they set out the agreed facts.
They include the fact that DNA samples from Noel Jones and Michael Orford were provided to scientists in 2016 who came to the conclusion that neither of their DNA was detected in the microscope slides from 1976. Another fact is that Hough’s army medical records show he is blood group O.
Ex soldier, Hough, of Maes y Dre, Flint was charged on September 6, 2016. He was cautioned and made no reply. The case for the defence is set to start on Monday when Hough will give his evidence.
The trial continues.