Sobbing suspect holds up Caroline trial

Last updated at 13:04 10 June 2004


Caroline Dickinson murder suspect Francisco Arce Montes broke down in tears in court today after the reading of a testimony from his mother.

The Spanish waiter, 54, was led away from the court, which was briefly adjourned.

The outburst of emotion came as prosecutors pressed Montes to talk about the statement from his mother - Benigna Montes Moro - who had referred to his childhood in a statement following his arrest in 2001.

Interview read out

Earlier, jurors heard the text of an interview given by Montes to police after his arrest.

In the statement Montes told the story of his life, in which he referred to the death of his father in December 1997.

Speaking of his childhood, he said: "I don't consider I had a happy childhood. My friends made fun of me and beat me. I don't remember why."

After a 25-minute break, proceedings resumed with Montes apologising for his outburst.

He said: "Excuse me for those tears because in this room I'm not the victim."

His defence lawyer Olivier Dersoir said it had been a "psychological reaction" he had not been expecting.

Earlier, Montes's statement told of how he had claimed unemployment benefit while working in the UK between 1993 and 1997.

He said he had worked in a hotel in London but could not speak English.

The statement read: "I got sciatica but the English Government gave me money.

"I left London in 1997 having taken money out of my bank because I was getting unemployment benefit even though I was working. They wanted to look into my account but I refused."

No forgiveness

When pressed to comment on the details of his past, Montes said: "I understand the seriousness of what I did.

"I know that the Dickinson family will never forgive me and I know that from the moment their daughter died, their life was totally different

but I have nothing else to say."

The statement from his mother told of a difficult relationship.

It read: "Something like an allergy stopped me going into his room. I always felt a certain repulsion there.

"I didn't want to risk going in there even if he was going away for a week."

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