BLIND prisoner Yvonne Sleightholme told today why she will never admit to killing Jayne Smith - even though this could mean she will never be freed.

"I value the truth more than anything," she said in her first media interview since she was jailed more than a decade ago for a farmyard shooting in Ryedale.

"I didn't do it, and nothing - not even the chance of freedom - will make me lie and say I did it.

"All I can say is I know what happened that night, and I was not responsible for that terrible murder."

Sleightholme has already served more than the ten- year tariff set by the judge at her trial, because her refusal to confess means she has not been allowed to take part in courses enabling her to get parole.

Sleightholme also spoke about the gibes and violence she has experienced over the years from fellow inmates who have refused to believe she is blind.

Updated: 11:32 Friday, February 01, 2002