THE man serving life in jail for the hammer murders of Lin and Megan Russell at Chillenden, near Canterbury, in 1996 has had his appeal adjourned.

The start of Michael Stone’s appeal against conviction was due to be heard in London today.

But the hearing was postponed and the case will now be heard some time after October 15.

Court of Appeal judges ordered that the reasons for the adjournment should not be revealed.

Stone, 42, formerly of Skinner Street, Gillingham, was given three life sentences in October 2001 for murdering Lin and six-year-old Megan and attempting to murder Megan’s elder sister, Josie.

He has continued to maintain his innocence throughout his imprisonment. There was no forensic evidence linking him to the attacks on Lin and her daughters as they walked in the countryside at Chillenden in July 1996.

Josie, who was nine at the time, survived the attack and has since moved to Wales with her father Shaun Russell to start a new life.

Stone’s lawyers claim that Daley’s evidence is unreliable.

The appeal had been due to be heard today before Lord Justice Rose, Mr Justice Owen and Mr Justice Mitting.