IPSWICH murderer Leon Sobers' appeal against his conviction for killing barmaid Janet Fleming is to be heard on Thursday.The Court of Appeal in London today confirmed the date of February 6 had been set to hear Sobers' bid to clear his name.

IPSWICH murderer Leon Sobers' appeal against his conviction for killing barmaid Janet Fleming is to be heard on Thursday.

The Court of Appeal in London today confirmed the date of February 6 had been set to hear Sobers' bid to clear his name.

Sobers was jailed for life in October 2001, along with his co-accused Damien Duberry, for murdering the 38-year-old single mum at Harley's pub, Stoke Park Drive, during a robbery in December 2000.

Both men pleaded not guilty to murder and robbery but a jury convicted them.

The trial judge the Honourable Mr Justice Moses sentenced them each to two terms of life imprisonment.

In March 2002, a single judge Mr Justice Eady refused Sobers leave to appeal, but the application was “renewed" to a full court of three judges who decided Sobers' appeal could go ahead.

Sobers' London lawyer Vince Reveglia has said they are appealing on the basis that there was no evidence linking him to the murder.

He said the evidence showed the murder was committed by Duberry, outside the incident of the robbery.

Ms Fleming's mother Freda who lives in Sudbury, has declined to comment further.

Sobers of Birkfield Drive, Ipswich, lodged the appeal against his murder conviction on December 7, 2001.

That came just three days before the first anniversary of the pub raid during which Ms Fleming sustained fatal head injuries, and less than two months after his conviction for her murder.

Ms Fleming died less than two days after she was attacked outside Harleys where she had just finished a shift on December 10, 2000.

Police believe she returned to the pub after hearing the commotion of her colleague temporary landlord Andrew Hull being robbed inside as two raiders stole takings from the safe.

The jury at Norwich Crown Court convicted Sobers, aged 23 at the time, and Duberry of murder and robbery after a two-week trial.

The court heard that Duberry, 21 at the time, formerly of Morland Road had struck Ms Fleming on the head with a gun and then stamped repeatedly on her head outside the pub while Sobers remained inside with Mr Hull.