Missing Briton's girlfriend denies she was sexually assaulted

The girlfriend of a British tourist missing in the Australian Outback has quashed rumours she was sexually assaulted by the man who attacked them.

Peter Falconio, 28, is believed to have been shot by another motorist on the Stuart Highway.

His girlfriend Joanne Lees told police she was bound and gagged by the gunman but managed to escape and raise the alarm.

In a statement read by Mr Falconio's brother Paul, Miss Lees said: "I don't want to lessen the severity of what happened, but I believe there has been speculation I was sexually assaulted, but this did not occur."

Police said DNA tests confirmed that blood found at the scene belonged to Peter Falconio, heightening fears that he was killed.

Northern Territory police commander Max Pope said: "The Falconio family have been told of this. Of course they didn't want to hear the news but I think they have accepted this.

"The longer this continues the likelihood of Peter Falconio being found alive reduces, but until you've got a body, there is a very slim chance (he is still alive)."

Mr Pope also said that police found only three of Miss Lees' footprints at the scene of the attack. Miss Lees told detectives she hid in the desert for six hours while the gunman and his dog hunted her.

Mr Pope said he was not surprised by the lack of prints. He said: "The surface is very hard ... very hard dirt. I would say that the offender, when he followed her, didn't step in the soft spots as she did."

News media reported that police are sifting through traces of a possible desert camp and fire. Mr Pope said there was a search based on fresh evidence but would give no further details.