Police in Australia investigating the disappearance of missing British tourist Peter Falconio have been denied the chance to test a DNA sample from a double rape suspect.

The Australian Supreme Court ruled on Monday that the DNA taken from taken from Bradley John Murdoch, 44, could not be tested until an appeal from his lawyers is heard.

No date for the hearing has been set.

Detectives searching for Mr Falconio's body and presumed killer were hoping to compare the DNA to a sample taken from clothing worn by his girlfriend Joanne Lees.

Gunman

Mr Falconio, 28, from near Huddersfield, is believed to have been shot by a gunman in the Northern Territory in July last year.

Miss Lees told police they were attacked after being flagged down near the tiny outpost of Barrow Creek, 175 miles north of Alice Springs.

A reconstruction tried to bring fresh leads

She managed to escape and raise the alarm, but Mr Falconio's body has never been found.

Mr Murdoch's charges relate to an alleged incident two weeks ago in South Australia, 800 miles away from Barrow Creek.

Detectives in the Falconio case have described Mr Murdoch as a "person of interest" to them.

No arrests

Experts will compare the man's DNA with a blood stain found on the t-shirt Miss Lees was wearing when they were attacked.

A ministerial agreement has already been signed allowing the DNA profile to be handed over from South Australia to the Northern Territory.

In June, DNA samples were taken from another man arrested over a stabbing in New South Wales but they did not match.

So far Australia's Northern Territory Police have made no arrests in relation to the case.