Lindsay Hawker killer to publish book

[dutchman]

The Japanese man awaiting trial for the murder of British teacher Lindsay Hawker has written a book detailing his two-and-a-half years on the run and says he will donate the proceeds to her family.


Images of Ichihashi taken before and after his plastic surgery

Tatsuya Ichihashi, 32, was arrested in November 2009, more than two-and-a-half years after he evaded police officers who called at his apartment in the Gyotoku district of western Tokyo. Officers later found the naked body of Ms Hawker, 22, buried in sand in a bath tub on the balcony of the apartment.

Miss Hawker, from Brandon near Coventry, had been severely beaten about the arms, legs and face and been bound at the wrists and ankles with plastic cord.

While criminals are not permitted to profit from their illegal activities, Ichihashi has yet to be convicted and was therefore within his legal rights to write the book, according to the Japan Federation of Bar Associations.

Ichihashi's lawyer told Kyodo News that his client decided to write the book "after pondering sincerely about what he can do."

Ichihashi was arrested in Osaka shortly before he was due to board a ferry to Okinawa 14 months ago and his trial is scheduled to begin in the next few months.

He faces charges of murdering and raping Hawker as well as disposing of her body. Ichihashi has admitted the third charge but denies committing murder or rape.

In a statement to The Daily Telegraph, Kenichi Kinukawa, the lawyer for the Hawker family, said, "Regarding the publication of this book there is no comment from the bereaved family of Lindsay Hawker.

"What the family wants is justice for Lindsay in a Japanese trial."