Brothers' murder appeal date set

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Two brothers convicted of the "brutal and sadistic" murder of a couple in Cornwall five years ago will have their conviction appeal heard next month.

Robert and Lee Firkins, from Weston-super-Mare, were jailed for life in 2005 for killing Graham Fisher, 60, and his wife Carol, 53, in November 2003.

The Fishers were repeatedly shot and beaten to death with a sledgehammer at the Perch Garage in Wadebridge.

A full appeal hearing has been set for 10 December in London.

The slaying of the Fishers is one of the most notorious in Cornwall

During their trial the judge, Mr Justice Owen, said the Firkins were "extremely violent and dangerous men" who had "brutally extinguished" the lives of the Fishers.

Both men, who are in their 30s, have consistently denied their involvement in the murders, claiming they were seeing relatives and had visited a local pub.

The Firkins were granted an appeal against their conviction at the Court of Appeal in February.

A series of preliminary appeal court hearings have already been held, with much of the proceedings in private because of the sensitive nature of the material.

A full appeal hearing has been set for 10 December, and is expected to last three days.