Obara convicted of Lucie charges

A Japanese businessman cleared of murdering British nightclub hostess Lucie Blackman has been convicted of dismembering and discarding her body. Joji Obara was acquitted of the killing by an appeal court last year before the new ruling from Tokyo's High Court. Lucie, 21, of Sevenoaks, Kent, disappeared in Tokyo in 2000 and her dismembered body was found seven months later concealed in a cave. Obara's life sentence remains unchanged as he was also convicted of raping eight other woman and causing the unintentional death of Australian Carita Ridgway who died of a drug overdose. Lucie's father Tim Blackman said the verdict was an obvious recognition of Obara's guilt but added that the whole process had left "bitter taste in the mouth". "Although the result is not the absolute decision we had hoped for it is still an obvious recognition of guilt," he said. "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. "People assume that it gets easier as each year goes by, but actually it gets worse each Christmas. "Every year brings it home that Lucie is not with us to share this happy time. "Everybody loves Christmas. Lucie loved Christmas, but with all the partying and festivities it is even more important to think about your own safety." Lucie's mother Jane Steare 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. "He's got a life sentence and I think justice has been done." Lucie's sister Sophie said: "It is not important exactly what he was charged with - what matters is that he is finally taking responsibility after all this time. I'm delighted."

» More on this story... «

ITN | December 16, 2008

Tags:. .protracted. .dismembered. .dismembering. .unintentional. .carita