Mark Bridger arrested on suspicion of murdering April Jones

Police are now pursuing a murder inquiry in the case of the missing five-year-old girl

Missing April Jones
Missing April Jones
(Image credit: REX)

Police are now pursuing a murder inquiry in the case of the missing five-year-old girl

A former soldier has been arrested on suspicion of murdering missing five-year-old April Jones.

Mark Bridger, 46, has been held over the past three days over the disappearance of the youngster.

At a press conference this morning Det Supt Reg Bevan said: 'Mark Bridger has been arrested on suspicion of the murder of April Jones.

'He remains in custody in Aberystwyth and continues to be questioned. The arrest does not detract from our efforts to find her.

'Her family has been informed of this development and they continue to be supported by our specialist trained officers.'

The police have appealed again for information concerning Bridger's movements and that of his Land Rover Discovery vehicle which April was reported to have got into before discovering.

Their teams have spent the past few days combing River Dyfi, in April's hometown of Machynlleth, since she went missing on Monday evening.

Meanwhile Sky news broadcaster Kay Burley has come under fire after breaking the news of the murder investigation live on air to locals who were searching for the missing girl.

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