Hawker family arrive in Japan for verdict

Lindsay Hawker

The family of British teacher Lindsay Hawker, who was murdered in Japan by Ichihashi Tatsuya, has returned to Japan for her killer's sentencing.  Hawker, 22, was murdered in 2007.

Hawker's father Bill arrived in Japan with her mother Julia and sisters Lisa and Louise.  Mr. Hawker said: "We expect to get the judgment we are hoping for."

Ichihashi, 32, admitted killing Hawker at the start of his trial, but said her death was unintentional: the defence claimed that he accidentally suffocated Hakwer in an attempt to stop her from crying out for help while raping her after convincing her to join him at his apartment following a private English lesson.  When her body was discovered Ichihashi fled, evading police for more than two years despite a nationwide manhunt.

The crime is eligible for the death penalty.  A verdict and sentence is expected on Thursday.