A NEW CD was launched to boost a charity in memory of murdered York backpacker Caroline Stuttle - just as news came through that her killer is appealing against his conviction.

Drug addict Ian Previte, found guilty last year of murdering Caroline by pushing her off a bridge in Queensland in 2002, is understood to have lodged another appeal - this time to the Australian Supreme Court.

The 32-year-old has already appealed once earlier this year, but three judges at the Court of Appeal in Brisbane ruled there were no grounds for quashing his conviction.

Caroline's mother, Marjorie Marks-Stuttle, said she had been informed of the fresh appeal by her son, Richard, who is in Australia.

She said she had been "very upset" when she heard the news. "I thought we had closed that door. It keeps coming back like a tidal wave," she said.

She said it had been particularly upsetting as it coincided with a very positive development for Caroline's Rainbow Foundation, the charity she set up after Caroline's death to help other backpackers.

She said a new song had been released on CD to raise funds for the foundation. The song, called Never Say Goodbye, had been specially composed and recorded by Natalie Griffiths, an Australian singer and songwriter, who lived near to where Caroline died and wanted to help.

Marjorie appealed for shops in the York area to sell the CD, but said anyone wanting to buy a copy directly from the foundation should phone 01759 304425.

She said a South African artist called Natasha Barnes, whose work can be found in corporate and private collections throughout the world and has been exhibited extensively, had also donated a new work called Rainbow Of Hope to the foundation. She said prints should soon be available.

News of Previte's fresh appeal has dismayed Marjorie's husband, David, who said: "We are just bitterly disappointed.

"This comes as another hammer blow. We thought we had put this to bed on two occasions, and it keeps coming back."

Caroline's father, Alan, said he was trying to remain philosophical, saying he believed the appeal had no realistic prospect of success.

"It doesn't have a snowball's chance in hell," he said.

"Whatever happens, it won't bring Caroline back.

"My biggest concern would be if he was released and another young girl was killed."

Caroline's inquest was taking place in York this afternoon

Updated: 10:25 Thursday, May 26, 2005