More time to question suspect in Joanna Yeates murder case

Avon and Somerset Police were given two extensions yesterday to enable them to keep hold of the 65-year-old who was Miss Yeates's landlord and neighbour.

The retired public school teacher was arrested in connection with her murder on Thursday.

Miss Yeates, 25, a landscape architect, was found dead on Christmas Day, after being last seen on December 17.

She was reported missing two days later by her boyfriend, Greg Reardon, after he returned to their flat in Clifton, Bristol, from a weekend away in Sheffield.

A neighbour of the murder victim said yesterday that he and Jefferies had helped start Mr Reardon's car on the weekend she vanished. Peter Stanley, 56, who has been questioned by police as a witness, said they used jump leads to start the car sending Mr Reardon on his journey to Yorkshire.

He said: "It was a non-event at the time, but absolutely poignant now – what if we didn't get the car to start?"

Mr Stanley lives in a flat in the mansion to the right of that of Jefferies in Canynge Road, Clifton.

He said he did not think Jefferies spoke to Mr Reardon about going away for the weekend, and added: "I wouldn't say there was anything tense between them."

He added: "I had only just charged up my car because it didn't work when I had gone to see a friend.

"I got a phone call from Mr Jefferies. I was asleep at the time and it was early evening.

"He asked if his tenant could borrow my jump leads. I think Chris Jefferies wanted to borrow my car, but I said I didn't want to take all the power out of it.

"So he said 'Fine', and he then brought his car – I think it was the Chrysler. I met Greg and Chris Jefferies at the edge of the property and walked toward the car. I got Chris Jefferies to position his car so the bonnets were alongside each other."