A DRUG addict jailed for life for murdering York backpacker Caroline Stuttle in Australia will have his appeal heard at the end of March, Caroline's mother has confirmed.

Ian Previte, 32, was found guilty of robbing the 19-year-old and pushing her from a 30ft bridge in Bundaberg, Queensland, in April 2002.

Miss Stuttle had been travelling in Australia during a gap year.

Previte was sentenced to life imprisonment for murder and 10 years, to run concurrently, for the robbery in October last year.

Prosecutors said Previte had boasted of killing the York teenager during conversations with cellmates which were secretly recorded.

An appeal citing five different points had been lodged on Previte's behalf at the Queensland Court of Appeal.

It challenges key evidence in the trial, including a taped police interview with Previte.