SUPPORTERS of a man convicted of murdering an elderly woman have expressed their delight he has won the right to a new appeal.

Simon Hall, 32, was convicted of murdering Joan Albert, 79, at her home in Capel St Mary, Suffolk, in December 2001.

He was jailed for life in February 2003.

Hall’s family and friends have campaigned to clear his name, but a previous appeal was dismissed in April 2004.

The former East Bergholt High School pupil applied to the Criminal Cases Re-view Commission in June 2005, which has examined issues raised by Hall, his legal team and supporters.

The referral is based on forensic evidence identified by the commission, an independent body which investigates possible miscarriages of justice.

Stephanie Bon, from Colchester, who launched the Justice for Simon Campaign with Simon’s mum Lynne, who now runs it, still believes he is innocent. She became close friends with Hall when they work-ed at a chemical company in East Hill, Colchester.

She said: “It is fantastic news.

“I just hope we don’t have to wait too long for the appeal to be heard.”

The jury at Hall’s trial heard fingerprints, footprints and DNA found at the murder scene did not match Hall’s, but detectives believed fibres from black trousers found at the scene, in Hall’s car and in a cupboard at his parents’ home linked him to the murder.

The commission has referred the case to the Court of Appeal because it believes new forensic evidence is capable of undermining key forensic evidence presented at the trial and raises the possibility the court would quash the murder conviction.

Lynne Hall said she and her family were “absolutely delighted” at the news, but added there was still a long way to go before the appeal.