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Lucie's mother weeps as serial killer is found guilty of kidnap
Terry Kirby16 Dec 2008
THE family of Lucie Blackman said today that "justice had been done" after a court finally ruled that a Japanese serial killer was responsible for her abduction and mutilation eight years ago.
The judgment by the high court in Tokyo reverses last year's decision to acquit Joji Obara of charges relating related to Miss Blackman's death.
Sitting in the public gallery, Miss Blackman's mother Jane Steare wept as judge Hiroshi Kadono said: "The court dismisses the first ruling. The court recognises that the defendant is responsible for damaging and abandoning the body."
He described Obara as a "ruthless" man who had "trampled on the rights of his victims''.
But the judge said it could still not be proved that Obara actually killed Miss Blackman, 21, from Sevenoaks, who had been working as a bar hostess in Tokyo.
She disappeared in July 2000 and her dismembered body was found concealed in a cave on a beach in February the following year.
After the ruling, Mrs Steare said: "Justice had been done. 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."
Miss Blackman's father Tim, who was not in court, 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's sister Sophie added: "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."
Sentencing Obara to life, judge Kadono said today: "His action of damaging and abandoning her body was ruthless and did not even give the slightest consideration to her dignity.
"The court believes the defendant kidnapped her with the intention of drugging and raping her, but the court could not prove he made her pass out by using chloroform or that he carried out his intentions."
Obara is already serving life for raping nine other women, one of whom died. The wealthy property developer preyed on his victims in the Roppongi area of Toyko between 1992 and 2000. He used chloroform to drug his victims and police discovered videos he had made of himself having sex with several of them.
Obara was in custody by the time Miss Blackman's body was found in a seaside cave close to a flat he owned.
Her body had been cut into several pieces and her head embedded in concrete, traces of which were found on his property.
Although Obara, 59, admitted spending time with Miss Blackman, he claimed she had been taken home by a drug-dealer and had died from an overdose. The dealer had himself died by the time the trial opened.
Miss Blackman, a former air hostess, described by her family as "vivacious and full of life", had been working as a bar hostess for only a few months when she disappeared.
Mr Blackman and Sophie made a number of visits to Japan to search for her and to put pressure on the local police to pursue their enquiries.
Obara's trial was spread out over four years during which he created a website and published a book arguing his innocence while his lawyers offered "condolence money" - a common practice in Japan - to the families of victims, most of whom took the cash.
Mrs Steare, who turned down an offer of about £200,000, accused her former husband of "betrayal" for accepting "blood money" of about £450,000. Mr Blackman defended his decision, saying a substantial amount of the money would go to the Lucie Blackman Trust, which promotes personal safety.
Reader views (1)
I went to school with Lucie, though I didn't know her very well: I think what most people don't realise is the devasting affect her death has had on her siblings - in many ways it's worse than what has happened to Lucie herself. I hope they can make their peace now and move on.
- Roz, Chamonix, France, 16/12/2008 10:50
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