Lees to tell all

THE girlfriend of British backpacker Peter Falconio, murdered by drug runner Bradley Murdoch, has vowed to tell all about Peter's disappearance to "correct inaccuracies and misconceptions" surrounding the case.

Drug runner Bradley Murdoch was sentenced last month to 28 years without parole for killing the British backpacker and abducting his girlfriend at gunpoint.

Joanne Lees said she wanted to honour Mr Falconio's memory by writing her own story about his disappearance "and the four years that followed culminating in (Murdoch's) conviction".

The crimes took place on a remote stretch of highway near Barrow Creek, 322km north of Alice Springs, on July 14, 2001.

In a letter to the British Press Association posted from Sydney, Ms Lees said: "After the unanimous verdict I was delighted with the outcome but I am still, along with the Falconios, distressed that Murdoch has so far refused to let us know what he did with Pete.

"I need to take some more time out, and have decided on writing my own story in a book about the events of that night and the four years that followed culminating in the conviction.

"The book will be a dedication to Pete and, amongst other personal goals, will enable me to correct inaccuracies and misconceptions contained in some media stories written about the case and the trial, as well as a number of the cut-and-paste books that have been released in the weeks since the trial."

The court verdict vindicated Ms Lees, a 32-year-old support worker, who faced constant smears since her boyfriend disappeared.

Newshawk: http://www.napnt.org
Pubdate: Friday, 27 January 2006
Source: Northern Territory News (Australia)
Email: ntnmail@ntn.newsltd.com.au
Website: http://www.ntnews.com.au