STATEMENTS from four teenagers were read out at the trial of Michael Baldwin yesterday, the man accused of murdering his 15-year-old step-daughter, Jenna Brookfield, pictured.

The jury at the Cardiff crown court trial heard of the last time the youngsters, all pupils at Abersychan Comprehensive School, saw Jenna alive.

Baldwin, 36, formerly of Limekiln Road, has admitted burying Jenna's body but denies murdering her between September 3 and 11 last year.

The statements from the teenagers, who cannot be identified, were read out in Court One by David Aubrey, QC, prosecuting, to the jury of eight men and four women.

One 15-year-old, who gave her statement on October 15 last year, told police officers a "bubbly" Jenna changed when she started going out with Christopher Jones - her behaviour got worse.

The teenager also recalled the last time she saw Jenna alive on either Wednesday, September 4, or Thursday, September 5.

She said: "Jenna had no make-up on, she looked rough."

A statement from another 15-year-old said: "Jenna told me she argued with her stepfather occasionally, but she never seemed stressed by it."

The last time the girl saw Jenna alive was either on September 4 or 5.

She said: "She seemed fine. I was with her for about ten minutes, saying she would see us later. She walked off towards Ffrwd Road and her house. I have not seen her since that day."

After another 15-year-old witness' statement, a fourth teenager said she saw Jenna on Thursday, September 5.

She said: "I had just bought chips from the chip shop from the High Street.

"On Ffrwd Road I saw Jenna on the doorstep to her house.

"She said she had a bad cold and her throat was aching. She didn't say anything about running away. She seemed happy."

All four teenagers described what Jenna had been wearing on the day they last saw her: a white Ellesse top, navy tracksuit bottoms, white trainers and a white strappy top.

Abersychan head teacher Peter Scott gave his statement to an officer on December 2, and produced school records, annual reports and other documents relating to pupil Jenna.

He said there had been a decline in her attendance during the summer term, by 56%. He said the teenager was "quiet and sometimes withdrawn".

Proceeding.