UK builder loses appeal over niece murder sentence

The uncle of murdered Essex teenager Danielle Jones has lost an appeal against his conviction for killing her.

The Court of Appeal in London yesterday upheld a finding of guilty against 45-year-old builder Stuart Campbell who was jailed for life in December 2002 for Danielle's kidnap and murder.

The court rejected Campbell's claim that he did not get a fair trial at Chelmsford Crown Court, where he was found to have killed Danielle, 15, after becoming obsessed with her.

Danielle disappeared in June 2001 while walking from her home in East Tilbury, Essex, to catch her school bus. Her body has never been found.

Her parents, Tony and Linda Jones, were in court to hear the ruling along with Campbell, whose wife Debbie is Tony Jones' sister.

The three appeal judges took just two minutes to consider their ruling after legal argument ended.

They will give the reasons for their decision at a later date.