THE taxi driver jailed for life for strangling a young mother in a city park six years ago has lost his appeal against the conviction.

Barristers for Merrick Rogers claimed at London’s Court of Appeal on Wednesday that the DNA evidence against the cabbie was flawed.

The hearing began in the morning and was due to last two to three days. But the case was rejected by the three judges in the afternoon.

Rogers, now 30, who lived in Forty Acres Road, Canterbury, was found guilty in 2000 of murdering Claire Streader in St Stephen’s Park in May the previous year.

She worked at a care home in the city, had a young son and lived with her parents in Downs Road, Canterbury.

Rogers was jailed at Lewes Crown Court following a three-week trial during which the jury heard evidence that his DNA was found on the victim’s body.

But Rogers’ legal team, led by top barrister Nicholas Blake QC, argued that there had been significant developments since Rogers’ conviction to cast doubt on the verdict.

Mr Blake claimed that fresh information provided a "rational alternative" for the discovery of Rogers’ DNA on Miss Streader’s body, making his conviction unsafe.

On the night of the attack Rogers met Miss Streader, 23, who was a friend, for a drink in the city centre and visited several pubs to celebrate his birthday.

He claimed that they parted with a kiss and a hug outside The Seven Stars and that she walked home while he went on to another pub.

Mr Blake argued that physical contact outside the pub could have been the source of the "secondary transfer" of Rogers’ DNA onto Miss Streader’s bra.

Miss Streader was murdered that night in the park and her body discovered the next afternoon hidden in some bushes by a woman walking her dog. She had been strangled with her own polo neck jumper.

Rogers also claimed that he had an alibi to show he was still drinking when Miss Streader was attacked, but it was rejected by the judges.