'A WICKED CRIME'

It took a jury of eight men and four women, sitting at Winchester Crown Court, just under five hours to unanimously find Omar Benguit guilty of her death.

Benguit appeared shaken and later reacted with fury as the foreman delivered the verdict. He screamed from the dock: "I'm innocent, I didn't do it."

He was told by Judge Heather Hallett that he would serve at least 20 years before he would be considered for parole.

It was the third time Benguit had been tried for the murder of Jong-Ok Shin, known as Oki.

Two previous juries had been discharged after failing to return a verdict. Benguit was also charged with raping the main prosecution witness but was acquitted at the conclusion of the second trial.

Evil Benguit stabbed innocent Oki three times in the back. The force of the brutal and unprovoked attack was so severe it fractured some of her ribs.

The loveable foreign student was just yards from her home in Shelborne Road, Charminster, when she was attacked in Malmesbury Park Road in the early hours of July 12, 2002.

Benguit, high on crack cocaine and heroin, killed Oki because "he wanted her" and she rejected his advances.

After the murder, Benguit fled the scene in a car driven by a former heroin addict and prostitute - who became the key prosecution witness in the case. The woman has been in witness protection ever since.

Sentencing Benguit, 32, of Linwood Road, Winton, Judge Hallett said: "This was a wicked crime.

"Fuelled by drink and crack cocaine, you tried to get an innocent young girl to go with you. I have no doubt your motive was sexual, but when she rejected your advances you reacted in anger.

"You stabbed her three times in the back, she didn't stand a chance."

Judge Hallett added: "Your violence is totally gratuitous. Poor Oki Shin lies dead. Her family must mourn her terribly. From everything we have heard she was a lovely and kind girl.

"But for the courage of a number of your fellow addicts you would have walked free and you very nearly did. In my view on the evidence presented to this court you are a totally nasty piece of work and a very dangerous young man."

After the hearing DI Kevin Connolly, the officer in the case, said: "I would like to welcome today's outcome on behalf of Oki's parents.

"Today's verdict represents the imprisonment of a very violent and dangerous offender - whose sexual desires drove him to murder Oki.

"Many witnesses from the drug world gave evidence as they were appalled by Benguit's crimes and I would like to personally thank them.

"Omar Benguit has now been imprisoned which I hope assists Oki's family to come to terms with their tragic loss."

Detective Superintendent Phil James of Dorset Police added: "Drug addicts and people with drug problems do have consciences. They want to see that justice is done and this case has shown that Dorset Police and these individuals can work together."

Speaking through an interpreter in South Korea, Oki's father Jong Geun Shin, told the Echo: "I cannot understand why this man took my daughter away from us. I still keep thinking she will walk through the door.

"I am sorry I sent her to the UK to study and just out of the blue my innocent girl was killed."

Mr Shin added: "I'd like to issue my heart-felt thanks to everyone involved in this prosecution."

Joon-ha Ju, first secretary for the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, said: "This young, promising lady had her life snatched away from her in a cruel and brutal way. I would like to thank the UK authorities for ensuring justice at the end of this tragic death."

See Tuesday's Echo (Feb 1) for the background to this crime.

First published: February 1