THE killer of York backpacker Caroline Stuttle has failed today in a bid to appeal against his conviction.

The 19-year-old's mother Marjorie Marks-Stuttle, from Pocklington, said she felt "total relief" at the decision.

Ian Previte, 32, was found guilty last October of the murder and robbery of Caroline, from Huntington, in the Australian city of Bundaberg, Queensland, on April 10, 2002.

His initial appeal was turned down in April by the Court of Appeal in the state capital of Brisbane, which ruled there were no grounds for quashing Previte's conviction.

But his lawyers had argued the verdict was unsatisfactory because key evidence was admitted that may have unfairly influenced the jury.

Previte attempted today to secure a second appeal hearing at the Queensland High Court, but this was rejected.

A court spokesman said: "An application for special leave to appeal against the murder conviction was made, but was refused."

Caroline, pictured, was walking back to a caravan park when she was attacked by Previte. In the struggle for her handbag, she was thrown off a bridge.

Previte was sentenced to life imprisonment and cannot be paroled for 15 years.

Speaking after the initial appeal, Caroline's brother, Richard, said: "Hopefully, Caroline's memory can now be finally put to rest once and for all and we can all move on and look forward to the future. It has been a long time coming."

Marjorie said: "Our sentence will never be over but this is a great relief. We can now move forward with Caroline's Rainbow Foundation - that is the important thing."

Last month, the Evening Press reported how hard-hitting travel advice from the foundation set up in memory of Caroline may have already helped save lives.

York medical student Heather Rodgers was one of the first people to watch a pioneering new safety video produced by Caroline's Rainbow Foundation - which was set up by Caroline's mother.

Heather was shown the film by her mum, Pam, who works for the foundation.

She believed the footage helped save her and three friends' lives when they were confronted by knife and baton-wielding men demanding money in a terrifying ordeal while trekking in the Himalayas.

A seminar, organised by the foundation for students, hosted by former war reporter Martin Bell, will be held at York St John's College on October 15.

Updated: 09:22 Friday, September 30, 2005