CAMPAIGNERS fighting to overturn the murder conviction of Simon Hall for the killing of Capel St Mary widow Joan Albert, today put up a �10,000 reward for information.

Hall, 33, who is currently at HMP Kingston in Portsmouth, is serving a life sentence for the 79-year-old’s murder at her home in Boydlands in December 2001.

He was convicted at his Norwich Crown Court trial in February 2003.

Hall has always denied stabbing Mrs Albert to death. However, earlier this month he lost his appeal against his conviction which was based on fibre evidence found at the murder scene and at his parents’ home in Snowcroft, Capel St Mary, although no garment linked to the fibres was ever found.

In a bid to help his fight, Hall’s campaigners said they hope the reward will help catch the person, or people, they believe to have murdered Mrs Albert.

Today, Hall’s wife Stephanie said: “We are putting out a �10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the real killer, or killers, of Mrs Albert and the subsequent release of Simon Hall.

“We are aiming our plea specifically to the criminal fraternity of Essex, Suffolk and Norfolk.

“We would like to add to our statement that while no-one likes an informer, this was a 79-year-old woman who was murdered in her own home.

“Anyone with information can contact Simon’s solicitor Correna Platt @ Stephenson’s solicitors on 01942 777777 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”