Legal News

Oxford Crown Court has heard how a “violent” and “controlling” man killed his pregnant ex-girlfriend just hours after she told him she was expecting his child.

Jayden Parkinson, 17, was living in a hostel at the time her relationship with 22-year-old Ben Blakeley ended and she told him she was pregnant.

The court heard that while living at the hostel, Jayden did not leave her room or use the lavatory, as Blakeley had told her to use a bottle instead.

The teenager did not eat or fetch food at the One Foot Forward Hostel – and had to go to her ex boyfriend’s grandmother’s house to shower.

The couple’s relationship ended around November 23 last year – and after taking two pregnancy tests at the hostel, on December 2 Jayden told Blakeley that she was expecting his child. At first he denied the child was his.

The court also heard that Blakeley had threatened to upload intimate material of his ex-girlfriend online and she was afraid that he would circulate the material to try and ruin her life.

She had reported this to the police – and told officers that after splitting from Blakeley, he had asked for them to get back together again but she had refused.

Jayden was last seen with Blakeley at Didcot Station in Oxfordshire on December 3.

She had agreed to meet him so that she could persuade him that he was the father of the child she was expecting.

It is thought she was killed hours after the last confirmed sighting of her – and days after killing her, Blakeley buried her in his uncle’s grave with the help of a 17-year-old male accomplice, who cannot be named for legal reasons.

Oxford Crown Court heard how as a teenager Blakeley – of Christchurch Road in Reading, Berkshire – claimed that if he ever needed to dispose of a body, he would bury the body in a relative’s grave, as no one would ever look there.

On December 7, he had denied knowing anything about her disappearance, the court heard.

Police arrested Blakeley on December 11, however, on suspicion of kidnapping Jayden.

On December 12, he was also arrested on suspicion of Jayden’s murder.

The court heard that Jayden had died from pressure being applied to her neck. She also had “widespread bruising” to her face and scalp, suggestive of pressure applied using a fist or a foot.

It is reported that during their relationship, Blakeley beat his teenage girlfriend, and made her feel that it was her fault he needed to hit her.

Richard Latham QC for the prosecution told the court:

“Ben Blakeley and Jayden had been in a relationship for some time before her death. On any view it was difficult. We allege he was controlling to an obsessive and excessive degree – he was violent and abusive to her and controlling and hitting her.

"He told her that he knew other people that lived at the hostel and they would report any ‘transgressions’ to him. He made her feel it was her fault that he needed to hit her.

“You may think this is a classic sign of a bullying and abusive relationship – somehow making the victim feel it is their fault," Mr Latham told the court.

The court also heard that Blakeley was arrested on suspicion of possessing indecent images the day after Jayden was killed.

While on remand in prison, Blakeley admitted to a health worker that he had killed Jayden, but said that he had not intended to.

He admitted her manslaughter and attempting to pervert the course of justice, but the prosecution refused his plea and Blakeley and his 17-year-old accomplice – who indicated to police where Jayden was buried – were committed to Oxford Crown Court for trial.

The unnamed 17-year-old has pleaded guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice, but has denied one charge of preventing a lawful burial.

The hearing at Oxford Crown Court on Monday (23/06/14) was adjourned.

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