Backpacker murder accused 'confesses'

Caroline Stuttle was on a gap year when she was brutally killed

The man charged with the murder of British backpacker Caroline Stuttle admitted to police officers that he did it, an Australian court has heard.

Ian Douglas Previte, 30, was on suicide watch when he confessed, Bundaberg Magistrates Court was told.

"I asked him if he was feeling better and he said 'yes, it was good to get it off my chest'," Queensland state police senior constable David Beckett testified.

Mr Previte is facing a four-day hearing to determine whether there is enough evidence to go to a full trial on the charge of murder.

Mr Beckett said he did not consider Mr Previte's comments at the Bundaberg police watchhouse as a confession at the time and only recorded the conversation after he was asked to make a statement by another police officer.

Bridge fall

Miss Stuttle's body was found on 10 April, 2002, under the Burnett Bridge in Bundaberg, 220 miles north of the Queensland state capital, Brisbane.

The 19-year-old from York had been on a gap year with a friend and had arrived in the area only a few days before being attacked.

She died from severe head injuries and spinal damage.

Mr Previte was charged on 21 February after a 10-month police investigation.

The committal hearing is due to finish on Thursday.