A truck driver accused of murdering a British backpacker in Australia appeared in court today.
Bradley John Murdoch, 45, is charged with murdering Peter Falconio on the Stuart Highway north of Alice Springs on July 14, 2001.
He appeared at Darwin Magistrates' Court today and chief magistrate Hugh Bradley said a committal hearing to establish if there is strong enough evidence to merit a trial would start on May 17 next year.
Mr Falconio, a Brighton University graduate, was travelling in the Australian outback with girlfriend Joanne Lees when they were attacked by a gunman.
The attacker is thought to have shot 28-year-old Mr Falconio before tying up Ms Lees, a travel agent in Hove.
She told police she escaped by hiding in bushes for six hours and waiting for the attacker to drive off.
Her clothes provided DNA evidence that led to Murdoch's arrest after one of Australia's biggest manhunts.
Mr Falconio's body has never been found despite the efforts of police and Aboriginal trackers who have scoured a huge area of the outback.
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