Falconio police still baffled

Police hunting the man who shot Briton Peter Falconio in Australia six months ago today, admit they still have no clue to the attacker or the whereabouts of his victim.

However, detectives in the Northern Territory remain confident they will capture the gunman who almost certainly murdered Mr Falconio on a deserted stretch of the Stuart Highway nearly 200 miles from Alice Springs and attempted to abduct his girlfriend, Joanne Lees, last July.

The Falconio police squad, which once numbered 100 but is now down to 14, are reluctant to admit that despite a record reward in Australia of £90,000 they are no further forward with the investigation.

"We have no information on the suspect or the whereabouts of Peter Falconio," said assistant commissioner John Daulby.

The disappearance of Mr Falconio, 28, from Huddersfield, has become one of the most baffling crimes in Australian history. He was shot after the couple's camper van was flagged down by a stranger.

Ms Lees was bound and gagged but escaped into the bush. She returned to Britain in November.