But Police Sergeant Somchai Wisetsingh, several times an "Outstanding Policeman of the Year" in Kanchanaburi, did not make an appearance in court, fuelling rumours that he had secretly been freed.

Graham Arscott, the father of Vanessa, who was just 23 when she was run over and shot in the face, neck and chest by Wisetsingh, said he was pleased the sentence of life imprisonment had been confirmed by the court.

"I placed my faith in Thai justice and so far it has not let me down. The way the courts work is a bit baffling but I accept what they are doing is correct.

"The one thing I wanted to see was Somchai in court. To that extent I am disappointed. I will be seeking assurances through lawyers on a regular basis to ensure he is serving his sentence."

The families of Vanessa and Adam, from Ashburton and Torquay, Devon, who were gunned down in Kanchanaburi by Wisetsingh in September 2004, had received reports that the policeman had been spotted outside the jail.

But none of the reports have been confirmed and the Department of Corrections insisted he was serving his life sentence in Ratchaburi prison. The department said he did not want to talk to the press.

Judge Dilok Bultaweenun said Somchai had not been brought to court because he had been handed a heavy sentence and there were concerns he would escape.

In fact, he said, a hearing had already been held in the provincial capital of Ratchaburi province on April 8.

British Consul Peter Karmy asked through an interpreter: "Did he appear in court in April?"

"Yes" replied the judge.

The court confirmed a sentence of life imprisonment on the police sergeant, who had been informed of the decision. Lawyers for the two British families said they had not been informed of the earlier hearing.

Weerachai Adirek-Keiti said: "This is not unusual in the Thai legal system."

Andrew Drummond

Special to The Nation

Kanchanaburi