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By BRIAN FLYNN and JOHN COLES
Published: 25 Jan 2011
THE man accused of murdering Jo Yeates appeared in court yesterday looking pale and unkempt - and wearing borrowed glasses.
Vincent Tabak, 32, is furious that police seeking evidence have taken away his specs for forensic tests.
Officers gave him a replacement pair but the Dutchman complained they were poor quality and he could not see who was speaking to him at the hearing.
Tabak family spokesman Paul Vermeij said: "He was taken to court as almost a blind man."
Meanwhile it emerged Tabak went to Holland three days after Jo was found strangled on Christmas Day, to celebrate New Year with his relatives.
He and girlfriend Tanja Morson, who has told Tabak's relatives she will stand by him, left Bristol on December 28.
They spent six days at a holiday village where the family had rented a group of cottages. Mr Vermeij said: "A family gathering like this is very common in the Netherlands. They arranged it a long time in advance.
"They would have been walking in the park, eating out, partying and playing family games. It was a big family celebration.
"Nobody noticed him acting any differently from usual. He was his normal, happy self. They are completely convinced he is innocent."
Tabak and US-born Tanja, 34 - an analyst with Dyson in Malmesbury, Wilts - returned to the UK on January 2. Mr Vermeij said Tabak spent Christmas Day - when Jo's body was found dumped in a lane - with Tanja and her family.
Architect Tabak did not enter a plea at his first, brief, appearance after being charged with killing his neighbour Jo, 25, in Bristol.
Her anguished parents David and Teresa were too upset to be present yesterday and stayed at their home in Ampfield, Hants.
Tabak's brother Marcel and sisters Eileen, Ilse and Cora, a senior scientific adviser to the Dutch government, did not fly to the UK but are expected at his trial. Tanja was not there either.
Tabak wore a round-neck dark red sweater with the sleeves rolled up and dark blue trousers at Bristol Magistrates' Court.
He was unshaven with untidy hair and was handcuffed to a woman prison officer, who was dwarfed by her 6ft 4in prisoner.
He entered the glass-fronted dock of Court 1 just after 10am and the handcuffs were removed.
A female interpreter was also present but Tabak did not need a translation. Asked if he was Vincent Tabak, he replied: "That's right" in a clear but soft voice.
He gave his address as Flat 2, 44 Canynge Road, Clifton, Bristol - next door to where Jo lived with her boyfriend Greg Reardon.
He was asked if his date of birth was February 10, 1978, and he answered: "That's correct." The clerk then read out the charge, which stated that he murdered Joanna Yeates between December 16 and December 26. Prosecutor Ann Reddrop then asked for him to be remanded in custody.
She told the bench: "My application today is to send this defendant to the Crown Court."
A preliminary hearing will be held next Monday, January 31.
It had been thought Tabak would ask a court to be freed on bail today before his next hearing, but he made no such application.
He has been speaking on the phone to relatives at least twice a day but is barred by cops from discussing the case with them.
Spokesman Mr Vermeij said of the missing spectacles: "He is unhappy because he is being deprived of his sight.
"His lawyer is doing his best to do something about it. Apart from that, he has been treated well."
Landscape architect Jo vanished after pre-Christmas drinks with colleagues on December 17.
Her landlord, Chris Jefferies, 66, remains on police bail after being arrested on suspicion of murder on December 30.
Jo Yeates murder accused in dock | The Sun |News
L'assassin de Joanna Yeates enfin démasqué? - Monde - 7s7
Published: 25 Jan 2011
THE man accused of murdering Jo Yeates appeared in court yesterday looking pale and unkempt - and wearing borrowed glasses.
Vincent Tabak, 32, is furious that police seeking evidence have taken away his specs for forensic tests.
Officers gave him a replacement pair but the Dutchman complained they were poor quality and he could not see who was speaking to him at the hearing.
Tabak family spokesman Paul Vermeij said: "He was taken to court as almost a blind man."
Meanwhile it emerged Tabak went to Holland three days after Jo was found strangled on Christmas Day, to celebrate New Year with his relatives.
He and girlfriend Tanja Morson, who has told Tabak's relatives she will stand by him, left Bristol on December 28.
They spent six days at a holiday village where the family had rented a group of cottages. Mr Vermeij said: "A family gathering like this is very common in the Netherlands. They arranged it a long time in advance.
"They would have been walking in the park, eating out, partying and playing family games. It was a big family celebration.
"Nobody noticed him acting any differently from usual. He was his normal, happy self. They are completely convinced he is innocent."
Tabak and US-born Tanja, 34 - an analyst with Dyson in Malmesbury, Wilts - returned to the UK on January 2. Mr Vermeij said Tabak spent Christmas Day - when Jo's body was found dumped in a lane - with Tanja and her family.
Architect Tabak did not enter a plea at his first, brief, appearance after being charged with killing his neighbour Jo, 25, in Bristol.
Her anguished parents David and Teresa were too upset to be present yesterday and stayed at their home in Ampfield, Hants.
Tabak's brother Marcel and sisters Eileen, Ilse and Cora, a senior scientific adviser to the Dutch government, did not fly to the UK but are expected at his trial. Tanja was not there either.
Tabak wore a round-neck dark red sweater with the sleeves rolled up and dark blue trousers at Bristol Magistrates' Court.
He was unshaven with untidy hair and was handcuffed to a woman prison officer, who was dwarfed by her 6ft 4in prisoner.
He entered the glass-fronted dock of Court 1 just after 10am and the handcuffs were removed.
A female interpreter was also present but Tabak did not need a translation. Asked if he was Vincent Tabak, he replied: "That's right" in a clear but soft voice.
He gave his address as Flat 2, 44 Canynge Road, Clifton, Bristol - next door to where Jo lived with her boyfriend Greg Reardon.
He was asked if his date of birth was February 10, 1978, and he answered: "That's correct." The clerk then read out the charge, which stated that he murdered Joanna Yeates between December 16 and December 26. Prosecutor Ann Reddrop then asked for him to be remanded in custody.
She told the bench: "My application today is to send this defendant to the Crown Court."
A preliminary hearing will be held next Monday, January 31.
It had been thought Tabak would ask a court to be freed on bail today before his next hearing, but he made no such application.
He has been speaking on the phone to relatives at least twice a day but is barred by cops from discussing the case with them.
Spokesman Mr Vermeij said of the missing spectacles: "He is unhappy because he is being deprived of his sight.
"His lawyer is doing his best to do something about it. Apart from that, he has been treated well."
Landscape architect Jo vanished after pre-Christmas drinks with colleagues on December 17.
Her landlord, Chris Jefferies, 66, remains on police bail after being arrested on suspicion of murder on December 30.
Jo Yeates murder accused in dock | The Sun |News
L'assassin de Joanna Yeates enfin démasqué? - Monde - 7s7
