Falconio girlfriend's trial hopes

Peter Falconio and Joanne Lees were backpacking in the Outback

Joanne Lees, whose boyfriend Peter Falconio was believed murdered in the outback, has arrived in Australia ahead of a key court hearing.

Ms Lees is due to attend a 17 May committal hearing which will decide whether there is enough evidence to try Bradley John Murdoch, 45.

Mr Murdoch is charged with killing Mr Falconio - whose body has never been found - in 2001 and assaulting Ms Lees.

Ms Lees said in a brief statement she was hoping for a full trial.

This is not a holiday and I am completely focused on the task ahead of me Joanne Lees

"I want Bradley Murdoch to receive a fair committal hearing as I believe this is the only way justice can prevail," she said.

She said she would be spending the next week preparing for the hearing and that she was accompanied by a close friend of Mr Falconio, Mark Sanders.

"He is not my boyfriend but one of Pete's best friends who studied with him at Brighton University."

Ms Lees said she was back in Australia for the sole purpose of testifying at the committal, at which she will be the star witness.

"I wish that I was here under different circumstances as I still have many friends here and I have very happy memories of Australia.

"However, this is not a holiday and I am completely focused on the task ahead of me," she said.

Ms Lees, from Huddersfield, is staying in the northern city of Darwin, in the Northern Territory, at an undisclosed location.

Mr Murdoch, has been charged with murdering Mr Falconio near Barrow Creek, north of Alice Springs, in July 2001.

He is also charged with the unlawful assault and deprivation of Ms Lees' liberty.

If convicted of murder he faces life imprisonment.