29/06/96 - Sophie murder trial
is told of perv's fantasy
Daily Record
The man accused of murdering Sophie Hook told a pal
he wanted to abduct, rape and kill a little girl, a
court heard yesterday.
Burly Howard Hughes, 31, allegedly revealed his fantasy
to convicted child sex offender Michael Guidi.
Eighteen months later, seven-year-old Sophie was snatched
from a garden tent as she slept out with pals in Llandudno,
North Wales, then raped and strangled.
Guidi, 32, told Chester Crown Court: "He said
he would like to abduct a girl, have sex with her and
then murder her.
"He said he would strangle her or cut her throat."
Guidi said the conversation took place when he was
lodging at Hughes' home in Colwyn Bay, North Wales.
And he said that in an earlier conversation, Hughes
- known locally as Mad Howard - told him he was attracted
to little girls.
Guidi admitted he had a string of convictions, including
gross indecency involving children.
Sophie, of Great Budworth, Cheshire, died in July last
year. She had been strangled and sexually assaulted
and her body dumped in the sea.
Hughes denies murder and two rape charges. The case continues
on Monday. |
