Trial to go ahead despite media, says Carr lawyer

The solicitor representing Maxine Carr, the woman accused of perverting the course of justice in the Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman murder inquiry, predicted this week that the trials of his client and Ian Huntley would go ahead despite fears that the unprecedented media coverage could have undermined their chances of a fair hearing.

Roy James, a partner at two-partner Peterborough criminal firm Lewis James, told the Gazette that he had 'great concerns' about the press coverage of their arrests last week.

He said he was 'resigned' to the negative press coverage and 'fully expected' it to affect the trial.

'However, I am realistic enough to know that the judge will not throw the cases out because of the media interest,' he said.

'For political reasons, I don't believe that the Attorney-General will impose reporting restrictions, and so we will simply have to put up with the press coverage.'

Former teaching assistant Ms Carr's boyfriend, school caretaker Ian Huntley, is accused of both murders and is being assessed at Rampton high security mental hospital.

Mr James said Ms Carr was considering applying for bail.

'Although the case is at a very early stage and pleas are not expected for a while, we are considering bail if a safe house can be provided for her.'

Mr James stressed that many people had lost sight of what she was actually charged with.

'People have misunderstood the position - she has not been charged with the girls' murder, and if the media background to the case is ignored, she would be granted bail as a matter of course,' he said.

Perverting the course of justice carries a maximum life sentence.

Mr James, who was instructed through the duty solicitor scheme, said he had been inundated by media, but was 'very careful' about which newspapers he spoke to.

Ian Huntley is represented by Roy Foreman, a sole practitioner from Grimsby, who was unavailable for comment.

Victoria MacCallum