WILTSHIRE Police yesterday reacted with relief when the conviction of a former soldier found guilty of murdering his nine-year-old stepdaughter was declared safe by the Court of Appeal.

Private Miles Evans, an Army driver, was convicted of murder in April 1998 following a trial at Bristol Crown Court and sentenced to life.

A jury returned a majority verdict of 10-2 that Evans, then 24, had killed Zoe.

Three judges in London yesterday dismissed Evans' application for permission to appeal against his conviction.

Zoe's mother Paula, who moved to Nursteed Close, Devizes, after marrying another soldier, Richard Appleton, has since moved to Wales.

She was not in court to hear the ruling but was told by a police family liaison officer of the ruling and was said to be pleased.

Lord Justice May, sitting with Mr Justice Cresswell and Sir Richard Rougier, said: "We have given very anxious consideration to this application.

"We have reached the clear conclusion that this conviction is safe."

A spokesman for Wiltshire Police said the force was extremely relieved at the verdict. "This case was thoroughly investigated and this finding is a vindication of that, "he said.

Evans, of Pepper Place, Warminster, who had denied murdering the schoolgirl and said he loved her like his own, was present in the dock to hear the ruling.

Zoe disappeared on January 11, 1997. Her body was found six weeks later in a badger set about half a mile from her home. A post mortem examination found she died from asphyxiation.

Evans has always protested his innocence. Mr William Clegg QC, representing Evans, said that there was an "element of suspicion" against another potential suspect. He said that the case against Evans was entirely circumstantial. "No one could have conceivably described this as a strong case," he added. Asked by Lord Justice May whether he wanted to advance a case for another suspect being responsible for the murder, Mr Clegg said: "I can't do that."