Richard Lloyd Parry
Tokyo

The Japanese property owner Joji Obara was acquitted of raping and killing the British bar hostess Lucie Blackman this morning in a devastating blow for her family and a grave embarrassment for Tokyo police and prosecutors.

Mr Obara received a life sentence in prison, nonetheless, after guilty verdicts on eight other charges of rape and one of raping and killing another Australian hostess. His legal team immediately said that he would appeal.