Murderer's appeal bid is refused

Tania Moore was found dead in her car after being shot

A Derbyshire man who was jailed for life for murdering his ex-fiancee has lost the latest round in his appeal against the conviction.

Mark Dyche, 37, a digger driver from Marston Montgomery, Derbyshire, was convicted of the murder of showjumper Tania Moore, 26, in May last year.

Appeal Court judges turned down his application for leave to appeal against the conviction.

They ruled the case against him had been "overwhelming".

Dyche ambushed Ms Moore in her car as she drove along a country lane while returning from a riding lesson less than a mile from her home in Alkmonton, Derbyshire.

She died from a single shot fired from a shotgun at close range.

The original trial was told that Dyche, whose relationship with Miss Moore had ended acrimoniously in 2003, plagued her with chilling text messages, stalked her and threatened to break her legs and gouge her eyes out.

He is serving a minimum of 30 years in jail after being convicted of murder and conspiracy to rob the rider.

Giving their ruling at the Court of Appeal in London the judges stated: "It cannot be arguably said that the conviction is unsafe."