New appeal over mother's murder

Ms Barnett was found to have strands of cut hair in her hand

Detectives trying to solve the brutal murder of a Dorset mother-of-two whose children found her stabbed to death have begun a fresh appeal one year on.

The body of Heather Barnett was discovered by her children Caitlin, 11, and Terry, 14, when they returned to their home in Capstone Road, Charminster, Bournemouth, in November 2002.

Police revealed the 48-year-old seamstress was found to have strands of cut hair in her hand that did not belong to her.

Police believe the strands were placed there by her killer and need help in identifying where they came from.

It's very difficult for us one year on from Heather's death, particularly when we see the Soham murder case come before a jury Ms Barnett's older sister, Denise Le Voir

They also want to trace the owner of a distinctive Nike Terra-Part training shoe believed to have been worn by Heather's killer after a blooded print was found at the murder scene.

It is thought to belong to a size nine or 10 training shoe and only 1,000 pairs of the shoes were sold in the UK last year.

Detective Superintendent Phil James, of Dorset Police's major crime investigation team said: "I am renewing my appeal to anyone that owns - or has owned - a shoe of that description to get in contact.

"We also need to hear from anyone who recognises the sole print from that training shoe - or who knows of someone who has disposed of that kind of training shoe."

Detectives established the style of shoe they believe the killer wore

The national Crimestoppers charity is now offering a reward of up to £10,000 for information leading to a conviction.

Ms Barnett's older sister, Denise Le Voir said: "We are very disappointed that no-one has come forward with sufficient information for the police to have a strong lead as to my sister's killer after she was so brutally murdered in a flat on a busy residential road.

"It's very difficult for us one year on from Heather's death particularly, when we see the Soham murder case come before a jury."