WIFE killer Robert Lund could be out of jail in three years - if he tells his victim's family exactly what happened on the night she died.

The 55-year-old was jailed for 12 years by a court in Albi, southern France, on Friday, after being found guilty of the manslaughter of Evelyn, 52.

The mother of three, who had previously lived in Darwen, Burnley and Rossendale, disappeared following a row at the couple's farmhouse in the village of La Veaute on December 29, 1999.

Her body was discovered inside her submerged Toyota Landcruiser at nearby Lac de la Bancalie 22 months later. Tests showed she had a head injury.

Lund, a former Blackburn Council tree protection officer, has always denied any involvement in the death, insisting she had driven into the lake by accident after taking a wrong turn.

But his sentence could be dramatically cut if he finally admits the offence.

He would also have to show signs of remorse - and for Evelyn's family that would include an admission and revealing details the events leading up to her death - which have so far remained a mystery.

It is believed that Lund has been actively considering an appeal over the weekend from his cell at the maison d'arret jail in Albi This would not result in a retrial but would be heard by a panel of three judges. If the conviction were to be upheld he could incur a much harsher sentence. Evelyn's family have vowed to fight any such appeal.

A spokesman for the police team which investigated the case said: "A combination of good behaviour and signs of remorse could see the sentence cut in half. Lund has already served three years in Albi's holding prison, so could technically be released in just three years.

"He would then have to stay in France for the remaining years of his sentence, during which time he would still be on probation."

Lund could also apply to get his sentence transferred to an English prison, where the regime is not as harsh and he can be visited by his family, who are based in Rochdale.

He now has seven days to launch his appeal.

Lund, who lived with Evelyn at Winter Hill, Darwen, before they moved to France was convicted after jurors heard that her driving glasses were found at home, even though she was wearing them when she left and Lund said she didn't return after storming out on the night of her death.

He also demonstrated precise knowledge of the lakeside site where her body was found during a trip there with Lancashire Telegraph journalists in 2003, even though he said he had never been there before.