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Obara acquitted over Lucie death Obara acquitted over Lucie death
(about 1 hour later)
A Japanese businessman has been acquitted of charges over the death of British bar hostess Lucie Blackman. A Japanese businessman has been acquitted of raping and killing British bar hostess Lucie Blackman.
But Joji Obara was sentenced to life imprisonment for a series of rapes, Kyodo news agency said. But Joji Obara was sentenced to life imprisonment for raping nine other women, including one - Australian Carita Ridgway - who died.
It was not immediately clear if the rapes for which Obara was convicted included that of Ms Blackman.
Tokyo District Court acquitted Obara of charges involving Ms Blackman's death; he was also suspected of raping nine other women.
Obara, 54, was arrested on charges of rape resulting in the death of Ms Blackman in 2001; he had been on trial at Tokyo District Court since 2003.
Ex-flight attendant Ms Blackman, 21, of Sevenoaks, Kent, was working in a Tokyo bar when she vanished in July 2000.Ex-flight attendant Ms Blackman, 21, of Sevenoaks, Kent, was working in a Tokyo bar when she vanished in July 2000.
Her dismembered body was found in a cave near Obara's home in the village of Miura seven months later.Her dismembered body was found in a cave near Obara's home in the village of Miura seven months later.
Obara, 54, was arrested on charges of rape resulting in the death of Ms Blackman in 2001; he had been on trial at Tokyo District Court since 2003.
TIMELINE 1 Jul 2000: Lucie Blackman vanishes in Tokyo21 Jul 2000: Tony Blair meets Lucie's parents and promises to raise their daughter's disappearance with the Japanese prime minister11 Oct 2000: Japanese police arrest and question Joji Obara, who is in custody in connection with several other rapes9 Feb 2001: Police find body parts in a cave at Miura, near Tokyo. They are later identified as Lucie's remains27 Nov 2003: Obara goes on trial in Tokyo24 April 2006: Obara acquittedTIMELINE 1 Jul 2000: Lucie Blackman vanishes in Tokyo21 Jul 2000: Tony Blair meets Lucie's parents and promises to raise their daughter's disappearance with the Japanese prime minister11 Oct 2000: Japanese police arrest and question Joji Obara, who is in custody in connection with several other rapes9 Feb 2001: Police find body parts in a cave at Miura, near Tokyo. They are later identified as Lucie's remains27 Nov 2003: Obara goes on trial in Tokyo24 April 2006: Obara acquitted
Lucie's father Tim spent thousands of pounds travelling to Japan to try to get the local police to investigate Lucie's disappearance as a suspected crime.Lucie's father Tim spent thousands of pounds travelling to Japan to try to get the local police to investigate Lucie's disappearance as a suspected crime.
Eventually, after he enlisted the support of the prime minister and his Japanese counterpart, the police arrested Obara, a property developer who had a seaside home at Miura, outside Tokyo. Eventually, after he enlisted the support of prime minister Tony Blair and his Japanese counterpart, the police arrested Obara, a property developer who had a seaside home at Miura, outside Tokyo.
But it was not until February 2001 that the family learned Lucie was definitely dead - her dismembered remains were found in a cave at Miura.
Last year Mr Blackman accepted 100 million yen (£450,000) from a friend of Obara, but he denied it was "blood money" and said such "offers of condolence" were common in Japan and did not affect the court case.Last year Mr Blackman accepted 100 million yen (£450,000) from a friend of Obara, but he denied it was "blood money" and said such "offers of condolence" were common in Japan and did not affect the court case.
Obara admits that he was with Lucie on the day she disappeared, but has always claimed that she became unwell at his apartment after taking drugs.Obara admits that he was with Lucie on the day she disappeared, but has always claimed that she became unwell at his apartment after taking drugs.
He says that he then called an acquaintance and asked him to take her back to Tokyo.He says that he then called an acquaintance and asked him to take her back to Tokyo.