THE judge in the Emily Longley murder trial has this morning begun her closing speech.

The Honourable Mrs Justice Dobbs told the panel of 11 men and one woman to put aside any prejudice or sympathy and said: “A cool head is called for.”

She directed them on points of law and has also been reminding them of the evidence they have heard over the past 18 days.

The jury also heard the closing speech from Fern Russell, representing Anita Turner.

She said the prosecution had made no attempt to explain how the jacket could have been of use to the police and added: “All the available evidence is the removal of the jacket alone had no tendency to pervert the course of justice.”

She said Anita Turner says she allowed the police officer to check the bag which contained the jacket.

Miss Russell added: “It is about as far as trying to pervert the course of justice as one could get.”

The prosecution allege Elliot Turner, 20, strangled 17-year-old Emily in the bedroom in his family home in Queenswood Avenue, Queens Park, Bournemouth, on May 7 last year.

Elliot Turner denies murder and his parents, Leigh Turner, 54, and Anita Turner, 51, deny perverting the course of justice.

The trial continues.