Carr breaks down as she gives evidence by video link

Maxine Carr's ashen face seemed to be floating, staring down from the television screens suspended over the court yesterday.

After the hysterical mob reaction that greeted her first appearance eight days ago to answer a charge in connection with the murder of 10-year-old Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, Peterborough Crown Court took the highly unusual step of allowing her to give evidence via a live video link.

For Ms Carr's own safety and because of the logistical challenge of policing hundreds of angry people, she was spared from running the gauntlet of hate again. Instead, the 25-year-old, who is accused of misleading detectives, watched proceedings on a screen 70 miles away at Holloway prison, the first time the women's jail in north London has used a video link.

Her image, a shockingly white face set against a dark-blue background, stared out of two newly installed screens in the building that normally serves as Peterborough magistrates' court but which yesterday was a crown court. Rocking forward on her arms, Ms Carr cut a childlike figure, emphasised by the black Daffy Duck jumper she was wearing.

Her features contorted as if on the verge of tears, she gave a weak smile of acknowledgement as Judge Coleman asked her to confirm her name. "This is a Crown Court. Do you understand?" the judge asked. Her reply, distorted and slightly delayed, came back: "Yes."

She added: "Thank you" as he told her the cameras would pan around the room to explain the role of everyone in court. But what composure she had dissipated when the packed public gallery came up on screen.

Ms Carr gasped and put her hands up to cover her face. "Are you all right?" Judge Coleman asked, looking up at the screen over his head and waiting patiently until she confirmed she was.

Ms Carr, rarely still during the brief half-hour hearing, frequently broke down in tears as Christopher Bramwell, the prosecution counsel, applied for the preliminary hearing to be adjourned pending results of the murder investigation.

The disappearance of the girls on 4 August set off one of the biggest hunts in recent history. Thirteen days later they were found dead in a copse near Lakenheath air base, Suffolk. Ian Huntley, a school caretaker, is sectioned under the Mental Health Act, charged with the murders.

Ms Carr, the girls' former teaching assistant, bit her lip as she listened intently to the court proceedings, her face cupped in her hands. At times, she shook her head, or covered first her ears, then her eyes. Frequently, she leant forward, a silent, sobbing figure on screen, while a prison guard just visible beside her offered a reassuring hand.

Mark Norman, her defence barrister, did not object to the adjournment but requested a shorter period. Judge Coleman agreed to adjourn the case for 28 days, until 27 September, before turning to Ms Carr and saying: "Have you followed what has been discussed?" Nodding her head vigorously in agreement, she appeared to mouth "Yes", then stood and was led away.

Yesterday's hearing followed a closed discussion on press reporting. After intense media coverage, the judge reminded the assembled media yesterday of their duty to report the case responsibly. Maxine Carr was "innocent until proven guilty", he added.

Ms Carr is charged with perverting the course of justice. Mr Huntley, her fiancé, has not yet appeared in court.

Outside court, her solicitor Roy James said: "We support the view that the press should continue to hear the details, subject always to the proviso that such publicity continues to be fair and balanced. And I would repeat that Ms Carr has not been charged with murder or abduction and to suggest otherwise would be at best irresponsible and at worst deliberately unfair."