Falconio suspect denies rape charges

Peter Falconio and Joanne Lees were travelling in Australia

A man accused of murdering British tourist Peter Falconio has pleaded not guilty to unrelated rape charges in Australia.

Bradley Murdoch, 44, denies seven offences relating to the rape of a mother and her 12-year-old daughter.

The mechanic and truck driver has also been charged with the murder of Mr Falconio on a remote highway in the Northern Territory.

Murdoch denies the rape charges

Mr Falconio, of Hepworth, West Yorkshire, and his girlfriend Joanne Lees, were ambushed by a gunman in July 2001.

She managed to escape from the camper van and spent six hours in the bush, before flagging down a passing lorry.

Her clothes were to provide vital DNA evidence leading to Murdoch's arrest.

Despite one of the biggest police operations in Australian history, the body of 28-year-old Mr Falconio has never been found.

Mr Murdoch is expected to go trial for murder in the Northern Territory after the end of the rape trial, which is being held in South Australia.