New images in Japan murder hunt

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New video footage of a man sought in connection with the death of a British teacher found buried in a bath of sand has been released by Japanese police.

The body of Lindsay Ann Hawker, 22, from Brandon, Warwickshire, was found in March on the balcony of Tatsuya Ichihashi's apartment east of Tokyo.

Mr Ichihashi's image was taken by an elevator security camera in the building in Ichikawa City.

Post-mortem test results suggested Miss Hawker was strangled or asphyxiated.

She had also suffered severe injuries to her face and arms.

Miss Hawker graduated last year from Leeds University and had been teaching English at Koiwa school in Tokyo for the previous five months.

A police official said it was hoped that by releasing the footage, taken in the days before Miss Hawker's murder, more information would be forthcoming from the public.

'No relationship'

Mr Ichihashi, 28, fled from his apartment when police arrived to question him about the missing woman. A warrant has been issued for his arrest.

Miss Hawker's father, who flew to Japan after her body was found, has said that his daughter "was not in any sort of relationship with the suspect".

CCTV images of the teacher with Mr Ichihashi, said to have been taken hours before her death, were broadcast on Japanese television last month.

It is believed Miss Hawker had gone to his apartment for the first time on 25 March to teach him English.