THE stepfather of Joanne Lees has slammed a TV documentary which questioned her version of the events leading to the murder of her boyfriend Peter Falconio.

Speaking to the Examiner today Vincent James, of Almondbury, said: "She is innocent and it is a disgrace that people go on questioning her story."

He thought Murder in the Outback? which screened on Sky One last night, had placed Miss Lees on trial unfairly and ignored the facts which point the finger at 45-year-old Bradley John Murdoch.

The show focused on the mystery disappearance of Mr Falconio, from Hepworth in Australia's Outback in July 2001.

Miss Lees, 33, of Almondbury, claims her boyfriend was gunned down after pulling over in their camper van. She says she heard a gunshot and was then attacked and bundled into a van.

She managed to escape but 29-year-old Mr Falconio has never been seen again.

Mr James said he was disgusted at the way the documentary cast doubts over his step-daughter's story.

"I think again Joanne has been put on trial but she has done nothing wrong," he said.

"Anyone who knows Joanne has never doubted what she said.

"She has told the truth from the beginning but people won't let her get on with her life - her hell goes on.

"I knew Joanne had nothing to do with it from the start. It has never even crossed my mind that she might not be telling the truth. All the pieces of evidence they focused on in this show have been disproved. There was more about Joanne than the accused."

The trial of known drug dealer Murdoch was supposed to start yesterday but has been delayed until the autumn to allow the defence to respond to new DNA evidence.

The show included interviews with police who launched the biggest manhunt in Australian history after Mr Falconio disappeared.

Col Hardman of Northern Territory Police, told the show he had doubted Miss Lees.

"The initial report I got I thought it seemed a bit strange and that it did not ring true," he said.

"I wanted a piece of evidence one way or another to convince me this crime had occurred and Joanne Lees was not involved in it."