January 2011
02. Drove with Tanja to Clifton via Channel Tunnel. Went to 44 Canynge Road to collect our things. Let into our flat by Police Constable Steve Archer. Took possession of a flat at 37 Aberdeen Road, Cotham, belonging to Emily Williams, a former Dyson colleague of Tanja's who is on a month's vacation in Chile.
03. Saw a report in The Daily Mail that a sample of DNA found on Joanna Yeates's body could be crucial in the hunt for her killer.
05. Back to work.
15. Went for a cycle ride. While stopping at 44 Canynge Road, I was approached by a short-sighted reporter, Hilary Douglas, who wanted to know if I had murdered Joanna. I told her that we were all very upset by her death, and that I only came back there at weekends. In the evening, I went with Tanja to a dinner party at Andrew Lillie's and Laura in St Andrews. Sat next to Louise Abthorpe. Sarah Maddock was also there.
20. At 5.57 a.m. I was woken by a banging on the door. A man's voice said, "Open up, Mr. Tabak, it's the police." When I opened the door, the Detective Constable standing there, Geoffrey Colvin, arrested me and drove me to Trinity Road police station. My clothes and glasses were taken away, and I was examined and photographed by the Duty Nurse, Ruth Booth-Pearson. She took a swab for DNA, and gave me some old clothes that didn't fit, and a pair of plastic glasses that were difficult to see through. I was taken to an interview room, where Detective Constable Richard Barnston introduced me to a Duty Solicitor from Crossman & Co and an Interpreter. He questioned me until tea-time. The solicitor advised me to answer "No comment" to most of the questions. She prepared a statement describing my movements on the 17 December 2010 and declaring that I did not know Joanna Yeates. After I had signed it, I was locked in a cell.
21. Another day of interrogation, this time with Detective Constable Paul Derrick. He claimed that analysis of the swab taken the day before had shown that my DNA matched a sample of DNA found on Joanna's body. I signed a statement that the solicitor drew up, challenging this analysis and the integrity of the scientist who carried it out. I was taken to the Magistrate's Court so that he could approve an application to detain me longer.
22. Another day of interrogation. The Detective stated that incriminating searches had been found on my computers, so the solicitor got me to sign a statement that I was the only one who had used the computer previously shared with Tanja. At 9.30 p.m. He charged me with the murder of Joanna Yeates and locked me in a cell.
24. At 9.00 a.m. I was handcuffed and taken again, in a van this time, to the Magistrate's Court. I was to be represented by Paul Cook QC. At 10.00 a.m. I was led into Courtroom 1, which was crowded with people, to appear before William Summers. The Public Prosecutor, Ann Reddrop, told him that I was charged with murdering Joanna Yeates between 16 and 26 December 2010. Mr. Cook stated that I would be applying for bail. I was taken in a van to Horfield Prison, where I stayed in my cell, to avoid unpleasantness. Cora and Marcel have hired a professional spokesman, Paul Vermeij, to answer the questions about me that the press have been asking them. I have spoken to Cora on the phone, but I am not allowed to talk to her substantively about the case.
25. I was taken in a van to Bristol Crown Court to appear at 10.00 a.m. before Mr Justice Colman Treacy for a bail hearing. Paul Cook QC advised me not to apply for bail. Ann Reddrop told the court that I was a person of good
character, both in England and in Holland, but that the CPS opposed bail for failing to surrender and for interfering in the course of justice. After the hearing, I was taken in a van to Gloucester prison, where I was put in a cell without a proper toilet. Paul Vermeij has told "De Telegraaf" that I have denied the charges against me, and that my family believe me to be innocent.
26. I was taken by van to Long Lartin Prison, Worcestershire, and assigned a cell with a perspex door in the health unit.
31. I was taken to the prison's TV studio to appear by video-link before Judge Treacy at Bristol Crown Court again. The Public Prosecutor, Nigel Lickley QC, told the judge that Crown would serve the case papers by 1 April 2011 at the latest, and would expect the defence case statement to be submitted by 28 April 2011. The judge told the court that a plea hearing would be held in this court on 4 May 2011. He pencilled in 4 October 2011 for the start of the trial. He told me that I would have the opportunity to speak to my lawyer, Michael Fitton QC, later this week.