THE appeal of Michael Stone, who was jailed for life for the murders of Lin and Megan Russell, is due to begin on January 17 at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.

The hearing had previously been postponed in September. Stone, 42, formerly of Skinner Street, Gillingham, won permission earlier this year to appeal.

Stone has always denied killing Lin Russell, 45, her daughter Megan, six, and attempting to murder her other daughter, Josie, in a country lane in Chillenden, near Canterbury, in July, 1996. He was given three life sentences in October, 2001.

Josie and her father, Shaun Russell, have left Kent and now live in north Wales.