MICHAEL BALDWIN told police how his stepdaughter Jenna died after she fell downstairs as they argued, jurors heard at his trial for murder yesterday.

Prosecutor David Aubrey QC told Cardiff crown court that a hand-written statement Baldwin gave police contained the defendant's own account of Jenna's death, and explained his decision to bury her in a shallow grave, then deceive his family.

The statement was made in conjunction with his solicitor at Newport central police station on November 18 - immediately after Baldwin had shown police the place where he buried Jenna, jurors heard.

The Crown claims the 36-year-old, of Limekiln Road, sent a series of texts and phone calls to wife Desiree, Jenna's heartbroken mother.

David Aubrey, QC, said Baldwin used a mobile phone, registered under a false name and address, and tried to convince Desiree and the police Jenna was still alive.

The court heard yesterday Baldwin, who denies murder, told a reporter Jenna used to wind him up and caused the family "disruption" by disappearing.

The Crown also claims that Baldwin confessed to a cellmate, while Baldwin was on remand in prison, then the next day allegedly phoned his wife and told her where the body was, claiming the death had been an accident.

Proceeding.