Parents of Joanna Yeates set eyes on their daughter’s killer for first time

THE PARENTS of landscape architect Joanna Yeates have come face to face for the first time with their daughter’s killer.

David and Teresa Yeates were at Bristol Crown Court yesterday for a pre-trial hearing for Vincent Tabak.

They arrived and left court hand in hand, accompanied by two police officers.

Tabak, a Dutch engineer, has admitted the manslaughter of Miss Yeates, a 25-year-old graduate, but denies her murder.

The charge states that Tabak “unlawfully killed” Miss Yeates between 16 and 19 December 2010.

The greying 33-year-old wore glasses, a white shirt, blue tie and grey suit for the 30 minute hearing before Judge Martin Picton.

Miss Yeates’ parents sat in the second row of the public gallery and Mrs Yeates occasionally looked over her shoulder towards Tabak.

The hearing was being held to finalise arrangements for the four-week trial, which is due to begin on 4 October before Mr Justice Field.

The case was adjourned until the trial and Tabak was remanded into custody.

Miss Yeates, who lived in Clifton, Bristol, disappeared after going for Christmas drinks with colleagues. Her frozen body was found dumped on a verge in a lane in Failand, north Somerset, on Christmas Day.