THE devastated family of a former Newport woman found bludgeoned to death say the go-slow Canadian justice system is adding to their anguish.

The family of Newport-born Angela Steer say they are appalled by the time it is taking for her alleged murderer to be tried by the courts.

And they are saddened by the fact that William Wade Bicknell, the man subsequently charged with second-degree murder, was allowed to walk from court at his last appearance with bail set at just $25,000 - around £12,000.

Head chef Angela, 37, disappeared on her way to work in Maple Ridge, near Vancouver, on April 11, 2001.

Her body was found ten days later by a teenager on the side of a dam in nearby Mission. She had been bludgeoned to death.

Detectives arrested Bicknell after learning Angela had given him a lift that morning. He denies the charge.

Speaking exclusively to the Argus, her father, Alan Hood, who emigrated with his family from Bettws to Canada in 1975, said:

"The pre-trial review is over and he is now committed for trial, and although he is back in court in three weeks' time it's not going ahead then.

"We've been told it is unlikely to start until the end of this year or the beginning of next - I can't believe it is taking so long.

"The Canadian government has made so many, many cutbacks in spending and a great many court houses have closed because of these. I think we are suffering the consequences of this - the courts are so busy they can't fit this trial in.

"It's an appalling situation because we just want this to go to court." Mr Hood added: "We also find it hard to understand that this person is out on bail and it is only $25,000. It seems such a low figure to us."

Mrs Hood added when the man accused of killing their daughter was given bail "it made us sick".

A trial date is expected to be set in about three weeks.

*PICTURED: Marie and Alan Hood.