Doubts have been expressed over the strength of the appeal case of convicted killer Jeremy Bamber.

At the Court of Appeal yesterday, the appeal judges told Bamber's QC Michael Turner that some of the defence claims did not begin to hold water.

Lord Justice Kay told Mr Turner: "When you take a step back, you are not likely to think there is anything in the conspiracy theory."

Justice Wright said of another allegation: "Even if it is correct, what good does it prove nothing?"

Victor Temple QC, acting for the Crown, said some of the allegations made during the appeal of impropriety, dishonesty and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice were "no more than double hearsay".

Mr Temple presented a fresh examination made of the position of Sheila Caffell's body by forensic expert Martin Ismail.

From looking at a photo, Mr Ismail had said the distribution of blood, arrangement of her clothing and position of her body meant she did not shoot herself.

He said it was likely another person had put her in the position in which she was found.

Michael Turner said Sheila Caffell's body could have been inadvertently moved when the gun was checked or her pulse was taken.

Bamber has had his case referred back to the Court of Appeal following an investigation by the Criminal Cases Review Commission, which investigates possible miscarriages of justice.

Bamber was jailed for life at Chelmsford Crown Court in October, 1986, for the murders of his mother, June, 61, his father, Nevill, 61, his sister, Sheila Caffell and her six-year-old sons, Nicholas and Daniel.

Detectives initially suspected Sheila, who suffered from mild schizophrenia and who had not been taking her medication, had murdered her parents and sons before turning the gun on herself.

They arrested Bamber, who stood to inherit almost £500,000 from his parents' death, nine weeks later when he returned from a holiday in France.

The appeal continues.

Published Friday November 1, 2002

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