Rapist cleared of Lucie Tokyo death

12 April 2012

A serial rapist has been found guilty of dismembering Briton Lucie Blackman in Japan and abandoning her body.

But millionaire property developer Joji Obara was acquitted of murdering and raping the 21-year-old bar hostess from Kent, who had been working at a Tokyo nightclub when she disappeared in 2000.

Tokyo High Court reportedly found there was insufficient evidence to convict him on these charges. But Obara was handed a life sentence for a series of attacks on women.

The High Court went further on Tuesday than the lower court did in its 2007 conviction, ruling that Obara dismembered and abandoned Miss Blackman's body.

Miss Blackman's father Tim, who lives on the Isle of Wight, welcomed the ruling. He said: "We view this result with delight. Although the result is not the absolute decision we had hoped for it is still an obvious recognition of guilt.

"After such a long time it is clear that it was necessary for this protracted process to get any degree of result and some form of justice for Lucie, but it still leaves a bitter taste in the mouth."

Miss Blackman, from Sevenoaks in Kent, a former flight attendant, went to Japan in May 2000 and used her earnings to pay for trips around Asia. Her remains were found near Obara's beachside condominium outside Tokyo in February 2001 following an extensive search.

Lucie's mother, Jane Steare, welcomed the ruling. At a press conference after the hearing, she said: "This has been a harrowing ordeal, not just for today but for over eight years.

"But at last we have two guilty verdicts and a life sentence for the crimes Obara committed against my wonderful Lucie."

Mrs Steare added: "He's got a life sentence and I think justice has been done."

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