The Old Bailey jury trying former deputy headteacher Sion Jenkins was today due to resume its deliberations for a fifth day.

On Thursday, the six men and six women jurors were given a majority instruction by judge Mr Justice David Clarke after failing to reach a unanimous verdict.

Jenkins, 48, now living in Lymington, Hants, is accused of murdering his 13-year-old foster daughter Billie-Jo on February 15 1997.

The schoolgirl was struck at least ten times with an 18in tent peg as she painted patio doors at the family home in Lower Park Road, Hastings.

Jenkins, former deputy headteacher at all-boys William Parker School, Hastings, was jailed for life after being convicted of her murder at Lewes Crown Court in 1998.

However, the conviction was quashed at the second attempt by appeal court judges in 2004, prompting a retrial.

The retrial ended last summer with the jury failing to reach a verdict, triggering a second retrial which started on October 31.

On Thursday, Mr Justice Clarke, told the jury he would accept a 10-2 majority verdict. The jury retired last Monday but did not deliberate on Friday.