IN BRIEF : Man denies murder of backpackers : Man denies murder of back packers

Sydney - A 51-year-old road worker pleaded not guilty yesterday when he went on trial charged with the "backpacker murders" of seven young hitch-hikers, including two British women, Caroline Walters and her travelling companion, Joanne Clarke, writes Robert Milliken.

Mr Justice David Hunt told the jury: "You would have to have been hermits not to have heard anything at all about this case ... But you must put aside any feelings of horror."