Hopes of Falconio breakthrough dashed

The DNA of a drifter held in Sydney for murder does not match a sample believed to be from the attacker of a British backpacker, police said today.

The announcement dashed hopes of a breakthrough in the 11-month probe into the disappearance of Peter Falconio from Huddersfield.

Northern Territory Assistant Commissioner of Crime John Daulby said the Sydney sample did not match DNA taken from blood found on the clothing of Joanna Lees, Mr Falconio’s girlfriend.

Earlier this week, police revealed a man being held in Sydney on unrelated murder charges was also ‘‘a person of interest’’ in Mr Falconio’s case.

The unidentified man is being held on suspicion of stabbing a person to death earlier this month in Sydney. He has not entered a plea in the case.

Mr Falconio, 28, has not been seen since last July 14 when it is believed he was shot by a gunman who ambushed the couple near Barrow Creek, north of Alice Springs.

Ms Lees, 27, escaped and alerted police. Police launched one of the biggest manhunts ever in Australia but found neither Mr Falconio nor the gunman.