The man who murdered Mill Hill optician Giles Van Colle failed to get his conviction overturned at the Court of Appeal last week.
Mr Van Colle, 25, who lived in Wembley, was shot dead by Daniel Brougham, 34, of Stevenage, on November 22, 2000, just days before he was due to testify against Brougham in a theft and fraud trial.
Brougham worked as a laboratory technician at Mr Van Colle's' clinic GVC Optometrists in Mill Hill Broadway, but was caught stealing optical equipment.
After Mr Van Colle went to the police, he received threatening phone calls from Brougham, demanding that he drop the case.
Mr Van Colle's car was also set on fire by Brougham.
Brougham argued that he was at home at the time of the murder and his lawyer, Andrew Munday QC, told the Court of Appeal that the trial judge should not have allowed evidence from people due to testify at the theft trial.
The three appeal court judges disagreed.
Lord Justice Rose said it was a planned killing, not a robbery of a respectable man with no other enemies.
May 29, 2003 13:30
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