Day 12 in court (From Free Press Series)

Day 12 in court

MICHAEL Baldwin claimed he felt suicidal during the police hunt for his missing stepdaughter.

He revealed his feelings to his wife Desiree and two family liaison officers from Gwent police days before being charged with Jenna's murder.

Both Detective Sergeant Rory Waring and Detective Constable Angela Jones said Baldwin claimed he contemplated taking an overdose.

DS Waring said Baldwin accused officers of pointing the finger at him. Referring to Detective Chief Inspector Geoff Ronayne, he said: "He thinks I've done something."

DS Waring said he was there to look after the family, not investigate the case. On October 18, Baldwin was upstairs in the house at Limekiln Road, Pontnewynydd, while Desiree was downstairs with liaison officers and an Argus reporter.

Desiree received two texts on her mobile, supposedly from Jenna. One read: "Mam, I love you."

On October 20, Desiree told officers she had sent a text to, she thought, Jenna, asking her what she had painted at her grandfather's house.

The correct answer was a radiator. The answer came back that morning and read 'a Christmas painting' which was wrong.

A text was received by Desiree some days later correcting the mistake.

On October 21, police told the couple they did not believe the texts were being made by Jenna.

On October 24, Desiree, the liaison officers and DCI Ronayne talked about Jenna in the lounge. The DCI asked Baldwin to join them but, according to DS Waring, he said: "Why should I? I feel like committing suicide. You're pointing the finger at me."

Baldwin was arrested for Jenna's murder on October 29 at 4.30pm.

BALDWIN'S mood lightened when he heard someone else had been arrested on suspicion of Jenna's murder, said police Sgt Rory Waring.

He was at the Baldwin's new home in Limekiln Road on October 1 when news came through that Jenna's ex-boyfriend, Christopher Jones, had been arrested on suspicion of her murder.