AN APPEAL by Michael Stone against his convictions for the murders of Lin and Megan Russell and for the attempted murder of Josie Russell is being heard today.

Stone, 42, from Gillingham, was given three life sentences in 2001. The attacks occurred in Chillenden, near Canterbury, in July 1996.

The hearing, at the Court of Appeal in London, is being heard before Lord Justice Rose, Mr Justice Moses and Mr Justice Walker.

Stone is alleged to have confessed to a fellow prisoner in Canterbury prison. His legal team will argue that the evidence is unreliable.

Dr Russell, 45, and her daughters were attacked by a man armed with a hammer as they walked home across a field. Josie survived the attack and now lives with her father in north Wales.