Sarah Payne's parents today faced a further tense wait as the jury in their daughter's murder trial continued its deliberations.

The jury was sent to a hotel for a second night yesterday after failing to reach a verdict following more than five hours of discussions.

Roy Whiting, 42, formerly of St Augustine Road, Littlehampton, denies kidnapping and murdering eight-year-old Sarah on July 1 last year.

Sarah's parents, Sara, 32, and Michael, 33, attended Lewes Crown Court, as they have done throughout the 18-day trial, and left without commenting at 4.30pm.

Sarah was snatched from a country lane in Kingston Gorse, Littlehampton.

Her naked body was found dumped in a shallow grave 16 days later.

Before sending the jury out at 3.40pm on Monday, Judge Richard Curtis told them they were under no pressure of time to reach a verdict.

December 12, 2001