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Man denies 1981 murder of Antrim schoolgirl

Jennifer Cardy was murdered in August 1981
Jennifer Cardy was murdered in August 1981

The trial has opened in Northern Ireland of a man accused of murdering an Antrim schoolgirl 30 years ago.

Robert Black, 64, who is originally from Scotland, denies killing nine-year-old Jennifer Cardy in August 1981.

She went missing from Ballinderry near Lisburn while cycling to a friend's house. Her body was found by two duck hunters near Hillsborough.

Opening the prosecution case today, lawyers said the child's murder was every parent's nightmare.

The jury of nine women and three men were told the girl had been abducted, sexually assaulted and killed.

The court heard that in August 1981 Mr Black worked as a van driver delivering posters across the UK.

Lawyers for the prosecution then told the court old work records placed Mr Black in the area on the day of Jennifer's disappearance.