Trial order for backpacker murder

Caroline Stuttle was on a gap year when she was killed

A man accused of murdering York backpacker Caroline Stuttle is to stand trial in Australia.

Ms Stuttle had been on a working holiday when she was allegedly attacked, robbed and thrown off a bridge in Bundaberg, Queensland.

At a hearing on Wednesday, magistrates ordered that Ian Douglas Previte, 31, should stand trial.

During the committal, it was alleged Mr Previte confessed to the killing in conversations with fellow prisoners.

No trial date

A court spokeswoman said Previte entered no plea.

No date has been scheduled for his trial.

Outside the court, Ms Stuttle's brother, Richard Stuttle, told reporters that he welcomed the committal decision.

"I feel quite overwhelmed but I am sort of relieved in a way because it is a little bit of closure for us," he said.