Fresh evidence which could clear the man convicted of murdering Billie-Jo Jenkins is to be examined.

Former teacher Sion Jenkins is serving a life sentence for bludgeoning his 13-year-old foster daughter to death at the family home in Lower Park Road, Hastings, in 1997.

The former deputy headteacher was found guilty of murdering her with an 18in metal tent spike after she messed up painting the patio doors.

Jenkins has always pleaded his innocence but his attempt to have the case heard again at the Court of Appeal in 1999 was rejected.

Since then new evidence and more witnesses have emerged and another appeal will be heard, possibly starting on June 28.

The Appeal Court judges will examine testimony from people who claim to have seen a known mentally-ill man in the area in the hours before Billie-Jo was killed.

It is believed the man, a paranoid schizophrenic interviewed by police but later released, had an obsession with plastic and exhibited unusual behaviour with plastic bags or other plastic objects.

A pathologist found Billie-Jo, a pupil at Helenswood School in St Leonards, had part of a black bin liner stuffed deeply into one of her nostrils.

The hearing will also hear why Jenkins' two daughters were not called to give evidence, plus submissions about blood found on Jenkins after Billie-Jo's death.