New evidence examined

Stone’s solicitor

Paul Bacon is encouraged by the new evidence.

He has always maintained there were striking similarities between the

Russell murders and the method

Bellfield used to kill two of his three victims with a hammer.

Mr Bacon made an application to the CCRC in

2017 on the basis of information received from one of Bellfield’s fellow inmates and fresh evidence regarding a “missing“shoe lace which was used to link his client to the scene.

DNA tests did not match with Stone and his legal team want new forensic examination to determine whether it’s Bellfield’s.

The review, which has been delayed because of the pandemic, will determine whether an appeal is valid.

He said: “I think we may have the preliminary view some time in October, we will be given a set period to respond and perhaps the final review may come through in December or January.

“It will be then decided whether the case goes to a second appeal against conviction.”

A revelation Kent Police had tracked down a previously-lost shoelace found at the scene, and possibly deemed as a murder weapon, is significant, said Mr Bacon.

He said: “We get no feedback from the CCRC. It came as a complete shock about the shoelace.”

Mr Bacon has highlighted a police e-fit of the Russells’ killer looked more like Bellfield than Stone and that Josie described him as being a little taller than her father Dr Shaun Russell, who is 6ft. Bellfield is 6ft 1in and Stone is 5ft 7in.

Josie also said the murderer had spiky hair similar to the style Bellfield had at the time.

She also described seeing a beige car near the scene and Bellfield has admitted having a similar Ford Sapphire which he destroyed.

Stone was driving a white vehicle at the time of his arrest.

An e-fit of Michael Stone released by police at the time