Murder suspect Mark Bridger sobbed in the dock today as he was accused of the murder of April Jones.
Mark Bridger sobbed in court as he was charged with the abduction and murder of missing five-year-old April Jones.
A huge police cordon held back up to 100 people outside who shouted abuse and threw bottles at a van carrying Bridger to court.
Police officers hold back members of the public as a prison van transports Mark Bridger from Aberystwyth Magistrates Court in Mid Wales (Reuters)
The van carrying Bridger, 46, was escorted by three police cars as officers struggled to hold back the crowd.
April's godmother Mair Raftree was standing in the crowd - she burst into tears as soon as the van passed her.
She was comforted by friends and Police Superintendent Ian John.
The crowd braved the rain to see Bridger brought into court, many of them wearing pink ribbons in support of five-year-old April's family.
Inside a packed court room at Aberystwyth magistrates court watched as Bridger was led in to answer to charges of murder, child abduction and perverting the course of justice.
April Jones
Bridger - dressed all in black with a close shaved head and goatee beard - spoke only to confirm his name.
He was openly sobbing as the charges against him were read out.
The hearing, in front of three magistrates, last only lasted two minutes before he was led away again - remanded in custody to appear in Caernarfon Crown Court on Wednesday.
Outside court, family friend Dilwyn Jones, 67, said: "I have come down here today because we want to know where April is.
"That is all the community want to know."
Guest house worker Sophie Francis, 18, added: "It's not been the same since April was taken.
"No one feels safe, no one takes any risks anymore, you don't see kids playing about as much as you use to.
"It's just shocked us all."
Bridger was arrested on Tuesday - a day after the schoolgirl, who has not been found, disappeared in her home town of Machynlleth, Powys.
A total of 100 police officers remain involved in the search for April.
She was comforted by friends and Police Superintendent Ian John.
The crowd braved the rain to see Bridger brought into court, many of them wearing pink ribbons in support of five-year-old April's family.
Inside a packed court room at Aberystwyth magistrates court watched as Bridger was led in to answer to charges of murder, child abduction and perverting the course of justice.
April Jones
Bridger - dressed all in black with a close shaved head and goatee beard - spoke only to confirm his name.
He was openly sobbing as the charges against him were read out.
The hearing, in front of three magistrates, last only lasted two minutes before he was led away again - remanded in custody to appear in Caernarfon Crown Court on Wednesday.
Outside court, family friend Dilwyn Jones, 67, said: "I have come down here today because we want to know where April is.
"That is all the community want to know."
Guest house worker Sophie Francis, 18, added: "It's not been the same since April was taken.
"No one feels safe, no one takes any risks anymore, you don't see kids playing about as much as you use to.
"It's just shocked us all."
Bridger was arrested on Tuesday - a day after the schoolgirl, who has not been found, disappeared in her home town of Machynlleth, Powys.
A total of 100 police officers remain involved in the search for April.
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