Trial of pensioner, 75, over the rape and murder of a 15-year-old schoolgirl found sexually assaulted, stabbed and strangled in her London home 47 years ago COLLAPSES after he fell ill

 The trial of a 75-year-old man for the rape and murder of a teenage girl nearly 50 years ago has collapsed after the defendant fell ill.

Dennis McGrory was allegedly fuelled by rage when he sexually assaulted, stabbed and strangled 15-year-old Jacqui Montgomery in her home in Islington, north London in 1975.The trial of a 75-year-old man for the rape and murder of a teenage girl nearly 50 years ago has collapsed after the defendant fell ill.

Justice finally caught up with McGrory after swabs from Jacqui’s body produced a one-in-a-billion DNA match, jurors had been told.

The trial at the Old Bailey began on March 3 but, on Wednesday, judge Mr Justice Bryan discharged the jury, which was told the case could not continue because McGrory had been taken ill.

Jacqui Montgomery, pictured, was murdered at her home in Islington, north London in June 1975. Her body was discovered by her father Robert. Police arrested Dennis McGrory at the time of the killing but had insufficient evidence to charge him in connection with the crime

Jacqui Montgomery, pictured, was murdered at her home in Islington, north London in June 1975. Her body was discovered by her father Robert. Police arrested Dennis McGrory at the time of the killing but had insufficient evidence to charge him in connection with the crime

McGrory's trial at the Old Bailey in London collapsed today after he fell ill last week. The matter will be raised in a case management hearing on October 7, with a trial scheduled for three weeks in November

McGrory's trial at the Old Bailey in London collapsed today after he fell ill last week. The matter will be raised in a case management hearing on October 7, with a trial scheduled for three weeks in November 

The judge fixed a three-week retrial for November 30 at Huntingdon Crown Court.

A further case management hearing will take place on October 7.

McGrory was arrested nearly 50 years later when a cold case review matched his DNA to the teenager's body. 

Jacqui’s body was found by her father, Robert Montgomery, lying on the floor of their living room in Offord Road, Islington, in the early hours of June 2, 1975.

She had been stabbed repeatedly and strangled with the iron flex, the court heard.

The court heard McGrory was trying to find ex-partner Josie Montgomery, who had been having an affair with his friend John Malloy, it was said.

Scientific analysis showed McGrory is between 33,000 times and one billion times more likely to have contributed to DNA samples from the victim's vaginal swabs, the court had heard.

Mr Justice Bryan discharged the jury and explained McGrory was admitted to hospital over a week ago and is still undergoing medical treatment.

He added: 'It is important to fairness that he will be able to participate in this trial.'

McGrory of Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire denies murder and rape. 

He was appearing via videolink from his solicitor's office in Milton Keyes. 

He remains on unconditional bail. .

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