Chris Jefferies may sue police for wrongful arrest in Jo Yeates murder case

Jo Yeates murder suspect Chris Jefferies has told a close friend he is considering suing the police for wrongful arrest.

The 65-year-old former Clifton College school teacher was arrested on December 30 on suspicion of the murder of the 25-year-old Bristol architect.

Mr Jefferies, who was Jo’s landlord, was released on bail from Trinity Road police station in the evening of January 1. He is believed to be staying with friends in Bath or Bristol.

A close friend of the Oxford-educated pensioner has revealed he expects to be released without charge in the next few days.

Irving Steggles, also 65, told The Telegraph: “Chris emailed me and said he was going to be eliminated from police enquiries in the next day or so.

“He said: ‘The ordeal is almost over’. He is preparing a case against the media and the police, I believe. This has completely shattered his life.

“I have known him for 45 years – we were at Oxford together. He was always the most kindly and helpful man, of the highest moral character.

“He is very highly respected in society, mildly eccentric but only mildly. It’s been really quite a shock for everyone concerned.”

Mr Steggles, a pastor at the Birchleigh Baptist Church in Johannesburg, South Africa used to live in the same building as Mr Jefferies on Canynge Road, Clifton.

Police are continuing to search for clues which may shed light to the mysterious murder of Jo.

The architect was last seen alive on Friday December 17 when she left a Bristol pub at around 8pm. On her way home that evening she stopped off at Waitrose, Bargain Booze and Tesco, where she purchased a pizza.

Jo wasn’t seen again alive – and was found dead on Longwood Lane near Long Ashton Golf Club on the outskirts of Bristol on Christmas Day. She had been strangled.

Police revealed this week they are yet to locate the pizza box and are continuing to troll through 290 tonnes of domestic rubbish in search for clues.

They also revealed Jo was found missing one of her socks – and appealed to the public for any information. Police refused to rule out the possibility Jo was strangled with the sock.