Published Date:
02 September 2008
By Elise Brewerton
Sion Jenkins has confirmed he has struck up a friendship with Barry George, the man cleared of murdering Jill Dando.
Newspaper reports at the weekend claimed that Southsea resident Mr Jenkins, who himself was cleared of killing his foster daughter after spending years in jail for her murder, had taken in Mr George as his house guest.
But speaking to The News Mr Jenkins denied that Mr George, cleared of murdering the popular BBC presenter, had ever stayed over although he had visited briefly early last month.
Ex-teacher Mr Jenkins said the pair had initially made contact through Mr George's sister, Michelle Diskin, after meeting at a conference on miscarriages of justice.
Mr Jenkins, who was cleared of murdering 13-year-old Billie-Jo Jenkins in 2006 after three trials, said: 'I knew that Michelle was going to have a very difficult time and she contacted me to say just how difficult it was.
'I attended some of the trial of Barry George at the Old Bailey – I did that to support her. Barry was then acquitted and, because of the pressure created by the media, he took a few days out from London to go to the Isle of Wight.
'He came here on the way and we went out for a meal together. This was in the evening and he also left that evening. It was a few days after his acquittal.'
Mr Jenkins believes Mr George is suffering from post-traumatic stress because of his ordeal and needs his support. He said: 'Barry is trying to get on with his life in London and I'm trying to get on with my life here.
'It is not just myself and Barry, there are other miscarriages of justice but people don't know about them.
'Collectively those who have been through that kind of trauma are bound to get on and support each other.'
Mr Jenkins is studying for a masters degree at the University of Portsmouth and hopes to go on to do a PhD in miscarriages of justice. He recently published a book about Billie-Jo's murder.
He said that although he did not set out to become a mouthpiece for victims of miscarriage of justice he accepted he will be in the spotlight because of what has happened and wants to put the publicity to good use to help other victims.
