A MAN accused of murdering a North Yorkshire backpacker in Australia is due in court on Tuesday to establish if prosecutors have enough evidence to put him on trial.
Ian Douglas Previte, 31, is charged with murdering Caroline Stuttle, 19, of Huntington, York.
Police believe Caroline, whose body was found on April 10, 2002, was robbed and fell or was pushed to her death from a 30ft-high bridge in the eastern city of Bundaberg, eastern Australia.
Caroline, a gap year student who had arrived in Bundaberg with a friend only a few days earlier to pick tomatoes to earn some travelling money, died of head and spinal injuries.
The tragedy prompted her mother, Marjorie, of Pocklington, to launch Caroline's Rainbow Appeal to help other backpackers in trouble abroad.
The committal hearing is scheduled for three days in Bundaberg Magistrates' Court.
The prosecutor, Sergeant Warren Murdoch, said 33 witnesses were set to provide evidence or statements.
Updated: 10:47 Monday, September 08, 2003
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