SIMON Hall has revealed new details which he believes will help overturn his conviction for the murder of Joan Albert more than 11 years ago.

The 79-year-old was knifed to death at her home in Boydlands, Capel St Mary, between 5.30am to 6.30am on December 16, 2001.

Hall, who has always denied killing Mrs Albert, was sentenced to life imprisonment in February 2003 following his trial at Norwich Crown Court.

His conviction was based on fibre evidence, which is still being contested 10 years on.

Hall has never publicly spoken about his alibi for the hour timeframe when Mrs Albert’s murder was said to have taken place.

Hall, who is now in Hollesley Bay open prison, revealed he was involved in a break-in at a business premises in Ipswich after a boozy night out.

Writing in his blog on his website justice4simonhall, the 35-year-old said: “While I was in Ipswich, sobering up with my mate, we came across an open window, at a company he used to work for, so we thought it would be a laugh to look around inside.

“I don’t know why I decided to pick up a couple of little CD players but I did, along with a little locker. It was supposed to be a bit of fun, but it was a stupid thing to do and I regret it.

“When I was interviewed by police and I was asked about my whereabouts I told them I was hanging around sobering up with a pal at Major’s Corner, from where I left a message on my parents’ answerphone at 5.01am.

“If you are wondering why I did not tell this to the police, well put yourself in my shoes for a minute -you have been arrested for murder as part of a ‘burglary gone wrong’ - to mention that is to give the police motive and would be a prosecutor’s dream. In any case, they were trying to solve a murder that I did not commit and I really did not think I would be charged, prosecuted and found guilty.

“Our fingerprints would have been everywhere because we were drunk and just messing about.

“Whatever your views are on this it does not make me a murderer.”

Hall added no black flock or polyester fibres of the type found in Mrs Albert’s home were discovered by police at business premises.

He also said the burglary would mean he would not have had time to walk to The Woolpack public house to get his car, before dropping off his friend, and then going to his parents’ home in Capel St Mary.

Hall is currently trying to get a second appeal against his conviction referred to the Court of Appeal by the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

In response to Hall’s revelation Richard Jones, a spokesman for the Suffolk Constabulary, said: “Suffolk Police can confirm that a burglary was reported to have occurred at a property in St Helen’s Street overnight between Saturday 15, and Sunday 16, December, 2001.

“This incident was considered at the time by the team investigating the murder of Joan Albert as one of numerous enquiries but no link was found.

“The Joan Albert murder case was fully investigated and following a trial at Norwich Crown Court, Simon Hall was convicted of her murder.

“Subsequently the case has been reviewed by the court of appeal and the conviction upheld.”