Click to play videoWinchester: Hannah Foster’s family had to wait for six long years for justice. Finally on Tuesday, the Winchester Crown court sentenced Maninder Pal Singh Kohli to 24 years in jail. He was found guilty of kidnap, rape and murder of Hannah Foster in March 2003.
“We are relieved. This man has got a second chance, which he didn’t give Hannah. The punishment should fit the crime but in this case it certainly doesn’t,” says Hannah’s father Trevor Foster.
Kohli, who moved to Britain in 1994, worked for a sandwich delivery company in Southampton. On March 14, 2003, he raped and murdered Hannah and escaped to India.
He was arrested in July 2004 and extradited to the UK last year. He was extradited to the UK in 2007 and the trial began in October this year. Kohli claimed he was being framed.
“Kohli’s defence that he was forced to have sex with Hannah by two men who later killed her, has been rejected by the jury. It has taken effort from British and Indian authorities to bring Kohli to justice and we would thank them all,” says chief prosecutor from Hampshire Alastair Nesbitt.
Hannah Foster has been described as 'bright and popular' who wanted to become a doctor.
It has been a dramatic six week trial but for Hannah's parents it has been a long and emotional journey.
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