Yesterday the court was examining the facts surrounding the disappearance of Natacha Danais, a thirteen year old victim of the Founirets.

While Maitre Seban was interrogating him over certain discrepancies in his story, Founiret broke his silence to make a chilling offer. He knew that the parents of an English girl, Joanna Parrish, who went missing at the same time as Natacha, were present in the courtroom, and declared he was willing to meet them face to face and talk about their daughter.

This caused momentary confusion among the magistrates but they decided to continue their original line of investigation.

Fourniret went so far as to say that his memory, though detailed and precise was not infallible and so as soon as he was pressed further to explain what had happened to Natacha he sat down and went silent.

It was left to Monique Olivier to give her version: they were on their way back to the Ardennes after appearing in court for burning down a workshop belonging to André Michaut, Monique's former partner (because she wanted revenge). Fourniret spotted Natacha on the carpark of a commercial centre and decided this 'petit sujet' was going to surrender her virginity to him.

They persuaded her to get into the back of their van. Olivier claimed she was walking her dog when he murdered her. Her body was found on a beach a few days later.

The saddest part of the story came from Natacha's family. They spoke of the carefree, happy child they knew and loved: of the trip to the supermarket where the mother discovered she had left her purse at home. Natacha was sent to fetch it. She asked one of her sisters to go with her.

"But I said 'no'." she sobbed.