THE GRANDMOTHER of murdered Warminster schoolgirl Zoe Evans is facing another heartbreaking delay in learning how long her killer will stay behind bars.

Ann Hamilton, 58, was told by Home Office ministers in February that Miles Evans would have his jail tariff set by this month at the latest.

But Mrs Hamilton, of Westfield Road, Trowbridge, believes the end to her family's suffering is still not within sight.

West Wiltshire MP Dr Andrew Murrison has written to Home Secretary David Blunkett calling for answers, but fears ministers were too optimistic in their original timetables.

Former Warminster soldier Evans has been in prison since 1998. He still denies murdering eight-year-old stepdaughter Zoe and dumping her body in a badger sett on a hill within sight of the family's home in Pepper Place.

Mrs Hamilton has completed a statement detailing the crime's impact on her life.

"My case officer from Victim Support rang up the tariff office the other day, and there is still no news," she said.

"I wanted to get it out of the way before my birthday, but I am not confident this will happen.

"You sometimes feel this will never come to an end. It has been seven-and-a-half years now."

Dr Murrison said further delays would be unacceptable.

"Ministers did not give me a warm feeling that they had gripped the enormity of the task facing the judicial system in sorting this issue out," he said.