Outback girlfriend seeks damages

Peter Falconio and Joanne Lees were ambushed

A British tourist who escaped a man suspected of murdering her boyfriend in the Australian Outback is seeking compensation for her ordeal.

Joanne Lees could be in line for up to A$50,000 (£18,000) in compensation under an Australian Government scheme for victims of crime.

The claim was outlined in Alice Springs court papers published on Wednesday.

Ms Lees, from Almondbury, near Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, was tied up by a gunman who tricked her and boyfriend Peter Falconio into stopping their camper van on 14 July last year.

The man is believed to have shot Mr Falconio before tying up Ms Lees in the back of his pick-up vehicle and driving along the Stuart Highway.

Inquest

She told police she escaped from the van and hid in bushes for six hours before he drove off.

Ms Lees then stumbled onto the highway and flagged down a passing lorry.

Police released an e-fit of the suspect

Mr Falconio has never been found and the only trace of him was a small pool of his blood on the road where he was attacked.

Police in Australia have made no arrests in the case, despite launching one of the biggest manhunts in the country's history.

An inquest is expected to be called in Alice Springs in December to ascertain what happened to Mr Falconio.

No doubts

Police are still investigating the case, although last month they scaled down the number of officers working on it from 12 to seven.

The investigation is officially an abduction, although detectives have no doubt Mr Falconio has been murdered.

Ms Lees returned to the UK several months ago.

Her claim may have been initiated as long ago as February, when she was in Alice Springs to film a television programme about her ordeal.

Mr Falconio's father Luciano Falconio refused to comment Ms Lees' claim.