I WOULD like to respond to the comments (Letters, May 21), concerning the Ewood murder trial, in which my father, Brian Blakemore, was convicted of the manslaughter of Julian Brookfield.

Ironically, I couldn't agree more with some of the remarks made by Julian's mother, Mrs Annette Anthony and the unnamed friend of Julian, who wrote about the "imbalance of Julian's character representation" in the press.

I could say exactly the same about my father.

Julian's friend also said: "Unfortunately, allegations and rumours can so easily lead to misrepresentation of the truth."

This just about sums up the entire contents of the farcical trial.

The homosexual angle came in because at one point the police believed the victim to be a "Gay Geoff," and my father had to endure many questions about his sexuality.

Although there was no evidence whatsoever to suggest that either Julian or my father was homosexual, the implication was there, not only in the press but also in the courtroom. My dad was branded in the press as a sexual pervert who dressed in woman's clothes at a party.

Yes, he did dress up as a woman - once. It was at a spoof "Mr and Mrs" contest at a local club. He looked like a poor relation of Dame Edna and his friend looked like a docile Charlie Chaplin, and they brought the house down with their comic turn.

It was a fun, family occasion - hardly a party for sexual deviants.

When the prosecutor was summing up his case, he offered two or three different theories on what might have happened to Julian - all pure speculation. I cannot believe that a man can be convicted of such a serious crime when the only evidence is guesswork and speculation.

My father has been branded an evil man because he still will not reveal what happened to Julian. He has no defence against this because he simply does not know.

Julian's mother and his friends have our deepest sympathy but, unfortunately, justice has not been done for Julian. My father will go on proclaiming his innocence, which hopefully will be proved at an appeal hearing.

HEIDI BLAKEMORE, Accrington. (Full address received).

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