By Danielle NuttallA CONVICTED killer has broken his silence about a message of support allegedly posted on his website by a police officer.Simon Hall, who is serving life in prison after being convicted of the murder of Capel St Mary pensioner Joan Albert, said he wanted to personally respond to media coverage about his case.

By Danielle Nuttall

A CONVICTED killer has broken his silence about a message of support allegedly posted on his website by a police officer.

Simon Hall, who is serving life in prison after being convicted of the murder of Capel St Mary pensioner Joan Albert, said he wanted to personally respond to media coverage about his case.

The East Anglian Daily Times exclusively revealed two weeks ago how an e-mail purporting to be from a serving Suffolk police officer, who cannot be named for legal reasons, had appeared on the site, apparently offering support.

The message was followed up by an e-mail allegedly sent by a member of Mrs Albert's family, also throwing doubt on Hall's conviction.

Suffolk police have refused to reveal whether the alleged police officer e-mail was genuine and would only say its inquiries were continuing.

Writing on his website, Hall said: “Why would an 'alleged' policeman and a family member amongst many others offer their support to me if it wasn't felt that I deserve a chance to prove that I am innocent? Why would a forensic scientist express his doubts and offer to help me?

“Once again I apologise for having to use the media and fight to prove that I am innocent, but there is a killer on the loose.”

Hall, who formerly lived in Hill House Road, Ipswich, and worked in Colchester, said the evidence his legal team was currently collecting would “no doubt” prove his innocence.

He also responded to claims his previous conviction for violence meant he had the propensity to murder a pensioner.

“Just because a man has a fight with another man of his own size and age in 1996, to which he pleaded guilty, does this mean the same man is going to go on and murder an elderly woman?” said Hall.

“This is the kind of attitude that puts innocent people away. Of course the family believe I am guilty because of legal processes and they understandably want closure.

“This has been an uphill struggle - from the moment you enter the docks and people are being told that you are accused of murder, you are immediately labelled a murderer and throughout the trial I had to try to prove my innocence as opposed to the prosecution proving that I was guilty.”

The message allegedly posted by a police officer referred to the case of Suffolk police officer Michael Cheong, who was found guilty of the manslaughter of Brian Spencer in Guyana 23 years ago.

It said: “His trial started in July and finished the other day. The verdict: guilty. We're all shocked and devastated.”

In a comment directed at Hall, the message added: “Our thoughts and prayers go to you and your family… I know the injustice of it all. Shamefully, I am also a police officer in Suffolk. Why is this happening?”

A spokesman for Suffolk police said last night: “Suffolk Constabulary is conducting internal inquiries into this matter. The constabulary will not be commenting further while these inquiries are under way.”

Hall was found guilty of murdering Mrs Albert, 79, at her home in Boydlands, Capel St Mary, after a 12-day trial in February 2003.

Mrs Albert's family declined to comment.

danielle.nuttall@eadt.co.uk