KILLER Luke Mitchell yesterday hailed campaigners battling for his freedom as his latest bid for an appeal began.

Mitchell, who was convicted of killing girlfriend Jodi Jones in 2003, released his message of thanks as he made a 300-page application to the Scottish Criminal Cases Review Commission which probes potential miscarriages of justice.

Mitchell, who turns 24 on Tuesday, said: "Next week I will be spending my ninth birthday behind bars. Another one spent without my family and friends.

"Over the last nine years I have lost so much: my girlfriend, my beloved grandmother, my dog and, of course, my freedom – the one thing we all take for granted. This was down to lies, deception and a fully-flawed murder investigation. I was let down by people we are meant to trust – the police and lawyers.

"This led to an innocent lad locked up in prison and a guilty one allowed to go free. Now I'm getting the chance to put the real facts and evidence to the real body of people who will be able to see my case for what it is – a true miscarriage of justice.

"I'd like to thank my supporters, who set up my website and who have followed my site, without which no-one would know the facts about my case."

Speaking as she handed in the application, his mother, Corinne, said: "It's been nine years of campaigning and nine months of working through case papers. It's not a sense of relief, just the opening of another chapter.

"Luke's happy it's got to this stage but we don't know how long it will take for them to consider the application."