Confessions made to police by a young murder suspect 12 years ago were "at risk" of being unreliable, a psychologist called by the prosecution has told London's Criminal Appeal Court.

But Brian Thomas-Peter - a clinical and forensic psychologist - took issue with psychiatric evidence called by lawyers for Darren Hall.

They maintained that he had been afflicted by an "anti-social personality disorder" at the time of his arrest on suspicion of murdering Cardiff news agent, Philip Saunders.

He told Lord Justice Roch, Mr Justice Keene and Mr Justice Astill: "I am still not convinced that at this time he suffers from that disorder".

During police interrogation on the murder, Darren Hall admitted taking part in the killing.

The "confession" formed the basis of the prosecution's case against Hall, Michael O'Brien, now 31, and Ellis Sherwood, now 30.

But the court has already heard evidence that the "confession" was extracted under duress.

First appeal turned down

The trio were jailed for life more than 11 years ago.

Their first appeal against conviction was turned down in March 1990.

Last December, they were released on bail pending a fresh challenge, after the Criminal Cases Review Commission referred their case back to the Court of Appeal.

Mr Saunders died in hospital five days after being robbed in a brutal attack in the back yard of his home in the city.

Breaches of interrogation rules

He had been hit over the head with a shovel and was never able to identify his assailants to police.

The Criminal Cases Review Commission had drawn attention to many breaches of interrogation rules under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE).

The Commission stated: "These breaches indicate a systematic disregard of the requirements of PACE by the officers involved in the murder inquiry and caused the Commission to question the integrity of the police investigation."

The hearing continues.