MP gives backing to justice group

The case has been sent to the Criminal Cases Review Commission

Ipswich MP Chris Mole has given his backing to a campaign group which has cast doubt on the conviction of a man for the murder of a pensioner.

Simon Hall, now 27, of Hill House, Ipswich, was jailed for life in 2003 for murdering widow Joan Albert, 79.

But the case has been referred to the Criminal Cases Review Commission and the BBC has revealed doubts over some of the forensic evidence.

Now Hall's MP has given his backing to the Justice4Simon, the BBC can reveal.

Mr Mole told BBC News Interactive on Thursday night: "I think the evidence does not seem to warrant a conviction.

"I appreciate that he was found guilty, but there seems to be questions over the case."

Joan Albert was found dead in the hallway of her home

In a letter to the campaign Mr Mole writes: "After considering Simon's case, I consider there to be serious flaws in the evidence used to convict him.

"As such, I agree to support the justice4simon campaign. I am currently investigating the most appropriate ways in which I can help."

Stephanie Bon, a member of the campaign group, said: "It brilliant news. We are still working hard on the campaign."

At Hall's trial the court heard Mrs Albert, who lived in Capel St Mary, near the border of Suffolk and Essex, was murdered in the early hours in December 2001.

Hall had been out drinking with friends in Ipswich and had an alibi for almost the entire night and early morning when she died, except between 0530 and 0615 GMT.

In May this year the BBC revealed that forensic expert Dr Peter Bull, of Oxford University, had concerns over the fibre evidence, linking Simon Hall to the murder of Mrs Albert.

He told BBC News Interactive he was very surprised that the fibres did not appear to include any glass particles from the broken window used to gain entry.

Dr Bull is now planning to undertake a number of scientific tests on evidence in the case.