THE grieving father of murder victim Julie Paterson has spoken of his hope that his daughter can finally rest in peace after the derelict house where her body was found is demolished.

Her torso was discovered dumped in a black bin bag in the garden of a run-down cottage in Polam Lane, Darlington, four years ago, after her murder at the hands of cannibal killer David Harker. Some of her remains were never found.

Now the two cottages on the site - which attract arsonists, drug users and squatters - are to be pulled down.

And James Paterson said he is still holding out hope that the mother-of-two's lost remains will be discovered.

He said: "I know the police have searched the cottages thoroughly. But I can't stop hoping that they will find something.

"I visit Julie's grave twice a week to keep it looking nice, and I sit next to it on a little bench and hope that she is at rest.

"But I don't think she can rest in peace. For me the whole thing will not be over until the police find something, or Harker has come forward with the information."

Darlington Football Club, which owns the two cottages, said the cottages were being demolished over safety fears.

A spokesman said: "Kids go and play in there, but the buildings are not secure and there are needles there because of drug use.

"We are demolishing them before someone gets seriously hurt."

After demolition, the area will be resurfaced and used as a car park.

Harker is serving a life sentence for strangling and mutilating the 31-year-old, and former Home Secretary Jack Straw vowed he would never be released without her family first having their say.

Every year on the anniversary of her death, sprays of flowers are still left at the Polam Lane site by her loved ones.

Mr Paterson added: "I won't rest until the police phone me to say they have found something."