Siblings reunited

Julie-Ann Clough, of Padiham, met up with her brother Paul Davies, of Great Harwood and said: "We should never have lost contact."

Julie-Ann was separated from Paul and Peter when the trio were put into care by their parents when they divorced.

Although Paul and Peter grew up together, the last time Julie-Ann saw her youngest brother, they were still at school.

Since then, Peter, 34, had been convicted of murdering Ann Lee, 44, the wife of a retired army major, and Margaret Johnson, 65, on Aldershot Common in 1984 and spent 17 years behind bars for the crimes, which he has always claimed he never committed.

Peter's brother, Paul, has supported him throughout and was overjoyed when his brother was released from prison a fortnight ago after judges at the Court of Appeal were told the evidence used to convict him was unsafe.

Julie-Ann, 37, was blissfully unaware that anything untoward had ever happened to her brother and only discovered he had spent time in jail when she saw a copy of the Lancashire Evening Telegraph announcing his release.

It was the first time she had seen pictures of Paul and Peter since they were at school.

After being reunited with Paul she said: "This is like an early Christmas present for me."

Peter, a press operator, said today: "I have often thought about getting in touch with Julie-Ann since Peter was put in prison but I have never been able to contact her.

"We have so much to discuss. It is great to meet up and I think Peter will be really pleased to know we are back in touch.

The pair are now planning to be in London when Peter tries to get his conviction quashed.

His solicitor, Mark Nichol, believes the hearing will take place in January.

PICTURE: Julie Clough who was reunited with her brother Paul Davies (inset) after reading the Lancashire Evening Telegraph's front page story about her other brother Peter Fell