Police can't solve Milly murder, says Bellfield's QC

Double killer Levi Bellfield gave police an "easy opportunity" to close one of Britain's most notorious unsolved cases, a jury was told today.

His barrister, Jeffrey Samuels QC, told the Old Bailey that Bellfield, 43, was only standing trial for the abduction of 13-year-old Amanda "Milly" Dowler nine years ago because of his subsequent convictions for two murders and one attempted murder.

He claimed that prosecutors had "marshalled and tailored" evidence to put the former wheelclamper and nightclub bouncer in the frame.

"The truth is that police are no nearer to solving the mystery of the disappearance of Amanda Dowler now than they were in 2002," said Mr Samuels. Bellfield denies kidnap and murder. The trial continues.