Dutch architect Vincent Tabak appeared in magistrates’ court today charged with the murder of Jo Yeates.
Bespectacled Tabak, 32, dressed in a bright red sweater and black trousers, spoke only to confirm his name and address during a five minute hearing.
But he is due to appear at Bristol Crown Court tomorrow in a bid to win bail whilst awaiting trial.
Tabak was unshaven, but appeared calm during the five-minute hearing hearing at Bristol Magistrates’ Court yesterday.
When asked by the court clerk to confirm his name, an unshaven Tabak said: ”That is correct.”
He was asked to confirm his address and said: ”Flat 2, 44 Canynge Road” and then to verify his date of birth – read out as the 10/2/1978 – to which he replied: ”That is correct.”
The charge was then read aloud to the court: ”Vincent Tabak it is alleged that between 16 and 26 of December last year that you did murder Joanna Yeates.”
Ann Reddropp, prosecuting, told the court she hoped the case could be brought before Bristol Crown Court for a preliminary hearing next Monday.
Paul Cook, defending for Patrick Crossman solicitors in Bristol, said his client would appear before a bail hearing at Bristol Crown Court tomorrow, which will be held behind closed doors.
William Summers, chairman of the bench, then told Tabak to stand.
He said: ”You will appear before the crown court tomorrow for a bail application hearing.”
Tabak, who towered over his small female interpreter, was then cuffed to his custody officer and led out of court.
The workspace engineer was arrested on Thursday on suspicion of killing 25-year-old Jo and dumping her body in a secluded lane just outside of Bristol.
Police charged the well-educated Dutchman, who came to live in the UK in 2007, with murder late on Saturday evening after three days of questioning.
Jo’s parents David, 63, and Teresa, 58, did not attend Monday’s short court hearing.
Tabak will now appear before Bristol Crown Court for a preliminary hearing next Monday (31/1).
