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19 May 2011
Last updated at 09:27 ET
Murdered Surrey schoolgirl Milly Dowler was bullied over her looks when she started secondary school, the Old Bailey has heard.
Her best friend Hannah McDonald said Milly told her she was called names at Heathside School, Weybridge.
Giving evidence in the trial of Levi Bellfield, she said Milly told her she tried to cut her wrists with a dinner knife but did not break the skin.
The 13-year-old disappeared on 21 March 2002 in Walton-on-Thames.
Miss McDonald said they made friends during a school trip to Germany and while they were on holiday Milly told her she had suffered minor bullying at Heathside School, in Weybridge, Surrey.
'Fairly trivial' She added: "She did mention that prior to going on the trip she had a fall-out with girls in her form. Then I met Milly and we became friends."
The court was told Milly had been called "big nose" and other names and was sensitive about her nostrils.
Miss McDonald added: "I think it was fairly trivial. At the time of our friendship, she was not depressed but she was depressed during the bullying in year seven.
"She was a joker. She would always make you smile. She had funny voices she used."
The jury also heard statements from other friends of Milly Dowler.
George Reid said Milly would chat to him if she was upset at school.
Continue reading the main story “Start Quote
He added: "I never suspected at all that she had any inclination to run away from home.
"I hope I would know her well enough to detect any change in her if she was thinking about this."
Milly was "her usual, bubbly self" on the morning of her disappearance, according to Elize Lomas.
She said they talked about Gareth Gates from Pop Idol later on and then hugged and said goodbye.
Her statement continued: "She said goodbye and that she would see me tomorrow. I didn't see Amanda again."
Cheryl Fryer, who had been at the Brownies with Milly, said: "I do not believe that Amanda would go anywhere with a stranger because she is too sensible."
The remains of Amanda Dowler, who was known as Milly, were found six months after her disappearance in woods in Yateley Heath, Hampshire.
Bellfield, 42, denies murdering her, and also denies attempting to kidnap another girl the day before.
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Her best friend Hannah McDonald said Milly told her she was called names at Heathside School, Weybridge.
Giving evidence in the trial of Levi Bellfield, she said Milly told her she tried to cut her wrists with a dinner knife but did not break the skin.
The 13-year-old disappeared on 21 March 2002 in Walton-on-Thames.
Miss McDonald said they made friends during a school trip to Germany and while they were on holiday Milly told her she had suffered minor bullying at Heathside School, in Weybridge, Surrey.
'Fairly trivial' She added: "She did mention that prior to going on the trip she had a fall-out with girls in her form. Then I met Milly and we became friends."
The court was told Milly had been called "big nose" and other names and was sensitive about her nostrils.
Miss McDonald added: "I think it was fairly trivial. At the time of our friendship, she was not depressed but she was depressed during the bullying in year seven.
"She was a joker. She would always make you smile. She had funny voices she used."
The jury also heard statements from other friends of Milly Dowler.
George Reid said Milly would chat to him if she was upset at school.
Continue reading the main story “Start Quote
She said goodbye and that she would see me tomorrow. I didn't see Amanda again”
End Quote
Elize Lomas
He added: "I never suspected at all that she had any inclination to run away from home.
"I hope I would know her well enough to detect any change in her if she was thinking about this."
Milly was "her usual, bubbly self" on the morning of her disappearance, according to Elize Lomas.
She said they talked about Gareth Gates from Pop Idol later on and then hugged and said goodbye.
Her statement continued: "She said goodbye and that she would see me tomorrow. I didn't see Amanda again."
Cheryl Fryer, who had been at the Brownies with Milly, said: "I do not believe that Amanda would go anywhere with a stranger because she is too sensible."
The remains of Amanda Dowler, who was known as Milly, were found six months after her disappearance in woods in Yateley Heath, Hampshire.
Bellfield, 42, denies murdering her, and also denies attempting to kidnap another girl the day before.
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