Police issue sketch of gunman's truck

Police hope to jog memories with artist's impression

Police hunting a man, who attempted to abduct a British tourist and may have shot her boyfriend have issued a sketch of the attacker's truck.

The search is continuing in the Australian outback, for missing holidaymaker Peter Falconio and the gunman.

We are still praying for a miracle even though it looks like hope may be fading

Jennifer James, Joanne Lee's mother

Mr Falconio has not been seen since he and his girlfriend Joanne Lees were held up in their camper van on a remote highway in the Northern Territory last Saturday.

The renewed police appeal came as Miss Lees' mother Jennifer James spoke of her "sadness" at receiving a postcard from the pair, sent just days before the attack.

In the postcard Miss Lees, 27, told of the couple's plans for the rest of the trip.

Cheerful postcard

She wrote: "Hi Mum, Vin, Sam, we are currently in Coober Pedy, an opal mining town.

"It is also where they filmed Mad Max III. Then we are on up to Ayers Rock, Alice Springs and Broome.

Click here to see map of the outback

"The weather has been cold and crisp so it will be nice to get to warmer climates.

She continued: "Just about getting used to living out of a rucksack again. We have been skiing in the snowy mountains."

Ms James, from Almondbury, near Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, said on Friday that she hoped Peter's mother Joan Falconio had not received a similar postcard from her son.

Jennifer James: Thoughts with Peter's family

"I don't know how she is coping, but we are still praying for a miracle even though it looks like hope may be fading," she said.

The young couple were flagged down by a man on the Stuart Highway 175 miles north of Alice Springs a week ago.

Miss Lees was tied up by the attacker after she heard a gunshot.

She managed to escape into bushland where she hid for several hours before being picked up by a passing motorist.

But police have yet to find Mr Falconio, 28, of Hepworth, near Huddersfield.

DNA tests

DNA tests taken from Mr Falconio's relatives have shown that blood found on the road belonged to him.

Joanne Lees sent a postcard to her mum days before the ambush

Detectives have received 500 calls following the release of an e-fit of the wanted man but there is still no sign of Mr Falconio or the gunman.

They are hoping the release of the artist's impression of the van will prompt a similar response.

Miss Lees' stepfather Vincent James, 58, flew out to Australia on Tuesday evening.

Mr Falconio, a building surveyor, left Brighton with his girlfriend of five years, last November to go on around-the-world trip.

Click here to return