Girlfriend faces grilling in Falconio murder trial

SYDNEY - The two familiar photographs are being published again.

Peter Falconio - grinning, on holiday, in love - with his girlfriend, Joanne Lees.

And the West Yorkshire couple, he in cap and gown, on his graduation day.

Mr Falconio disappeared in the Australian Outback more than four years ago, while driving from Alice Springs to Darwin.

His body has not been found but he is presumed to have been murdered.

The man accused of killing him, Bradley Murdoch, goes on trial in Darwin tomorrow.

The case may solve the mystery of the location of Mr Falconio's body.

It may also offer insight into the character of Ms Lees.

The couple were travelling around Australia when, according to Ms Lees, a motorist persuaded them to stop.

After Mr Falconio got out to talk to him, she heard a shot.

The man then tried to abduct Ms Lees, but she escaped and hid in bushes for several hours.

From the moment that she flagged down a lorry, sobbing and hysterical, Ms Lees has been the object of fascination.

At a pre-trial hearing last year, she admitted to a secret affair with another British backpacker, Nick Riley.

Mr Murdoch's lawyer, Grant Algie, claims it undermines the credibility of a woman who was supposedly in a loving and harmonious relationship.

Faced by apparent gaps and inconsistencies in Ms Lees's story police questioned her three times.

She also underwent, at their request, two sessions of hypnotherapy.

Ms Lees is now preparing for the grilling of her life at the hands of Mr Algie.

Mr Falconio's family, meanwhile, are hoping for answers.

- INDEPENDENT