SHOCKING as it was, the Lady in the Lake murder case could be set for another dramatic twist.

If senior judges find there has been a miscarriage of justice, not only does it exonerate Gordon Park, it heaps pressure on Cumbria Police to re-open the hunt for the real killer.

While clearing Mr Park would be a huge victory for his committed family, it will have come at a cost, both financially and emotionally.

Nor does it bring back their father who took his own life behind bars.

But let’s also not lose sight of the impact this has had on the family and friends of Carol Park who have already been through quite enough.

When a loved one is taken away in these circumstances, justice and closure is vital to peace of mind, yet the continued uncertainty must only extend their grief and despair.

Let us not forget that a mother lost her life here in the most brutal and dehumanising circumstances.

Yet quite how realistic it is for the police to re-open a case dating back 42 years and find compelling evidence that would stand up to scrutiny in the courts of today appears highly unlikely.

These days, the evidential threshold is set understandably high – perhaps higher now than ever.

It may yet be that the final, horrible twist in the Lady in the Lake case is that the killer gets away scott free and no side ends up seeing justice done.