MP calls for April Jones murder house to be demolished
The house where remains of murdered schoolgirl April Jones were found should be demolished rather than become a "monument to evil", an MP said today.
Five-year-old April's killer Mark Bridger lived at the rented Mount Pleasant cottage in Ceinws, near Machynlleth, when he abducted and murdered her.
Although April's body has never been found, small fragments of her skull were found in the home's fireplace by forensic officers following her abduction outside her home on the Bryn y Gog estate in Machynllelth on October 1, 2012.
Now Glyn Davies, Montgomeryshire MP and Councillor Michael Williams, the town's county councillor, have both called on the house to be torn down.
Mr Davies said he has spoken to the home's owner Mark Ford, who says he can't sell or rent out the home, while Dyfed-Powys Police and Powys County Council say they are not in a position to spend the £150,000 needed to buy it.
He said: "I have raised the issue and will now be contacting the Home Office because we are almost in an impossible position. I have spoken with Coral Jones, April's mother, and she is desperate to see it knocked down as are many members of the community I have spoken to.
"I have also spoken to the landlord and I can sympathise with his position because he has got a house which he can't sell, rent out or get compensation for it being knocked down.
"The police say they have handed it back to the landlord and Powys County Council isn't in a financial position to do it, so I will be contacting the Home Office next week to ask for their help with this.
"I think it should be knocked down rather than stood there as a monument to evil. At the moment it's a real problem - everyone wants it knocked down.
"This was an especially evil crime that appalled the whole of Britain, and I don't think it's reasonable to put it into the same category as other crimes.
"I certainly think it should be demolished – the idea of its being occupied again I find frankly nauseating."
Bridger, 44, paid £450 a month in rent to live in the property and had only moved in weeks before he carried out the murder.
Councillor Williams added: "It should be demolished. It would be a great help for the community because certainly after Mark Bridger's trial and in light of the horrendous evidence that came to light all the people that have spoken to me would like to see it demolished. It would help the community to move on.
"We must not forget the people living in Ceinws either, that house is a constant reminder of the terrible evidence that came out."
Bridger was found guilty of April's murder, abduction and perverting the course of justice following a month-long trial at Mold Crown Court in May. He was given a whole life sentence.
