Sally Anne was 'warm-hearted' says mum (From Croydon Guardian)

Sally Anne was 'warm-hearted' says mum

3:30pm Wednesday 6th February 2008 in News By Graham Moody

Sally Anne's mum described her as "argumentative" but "warm-hearted" in a statement read out in court today.

In a statement read to the Old Bailey jury the mum-of-four said: "I would describe Sally Anne as a happy-go-lucky type of girl who was not afraid of speaking her mind. She could be very stubborn and opinionated. This she inherited from her father.

"Although very slightly built she could be very argumentative and aggressive. She had a short temper and if someone upset her she would do her best to verbally embarrass that person.

"She was naive and childish, as she was a teenager. Having said all this she was a genuinely warm-hearted girl who adored children."

A statement from Sally Anne's older sister Michelle Chiddy was also read out.

It said: "She Sally Anne was a young girl who was starting out in life. All four of us are good friends.

"We had an open relationship and discussed everything. She was an extremely argumentative girl who would always have the last word.

"Having said this she was the warmest person you would ever wish to meet."

• Pub chef Mark Dixie, who worked at the Rose and Crown pub in Crystal Palace at the time of her killing, is accused of murdering the 18-year-old in the early hours of September 25.

The 37-year-old admitted yesterday he had sex with her corpse while high on drink and drugs after celebrating his 35th birthday but denied killing the model.

Sally Anne was repeatedly stabbed in the abdomen and neck in such a savage attack the weapon passed through her body.

• Click here for full trial coverage