DOUBTS can be cast over every piece of evidence against the man accused of raping and murdering Hannah Foster, jurors have heard.

Maninder Pal Singh Kohli’s defence barrister accused police investigating the Southampton student’s death of having “tunnel vision” once they found evidence linking him to the case.

Abbas Lakha QC said detectives closed their minds after being given Kohli’s name and finding his DNA on Hannah’s body.

Concluding his closing speech, Mr Lakha told the Winchester Crown Court jury the case against his client is far from conclusive. “The prosecution case is based entirely on circumstantial evidence. There is no direct evidence,” he said. The barrister said there was no evidence found linking Kohli to the spot where the 17-year-old was abducted and nothing proving the defendant had been to the place where her body was dumped.

Mr Lakha insisted that although DNA evidence shows Kohli had sex with Hannah there was no conclusive proof to show he had anything to do with her death.

He added police had ignored potential leads that could have led them to other suspects, and many “discrepancies with their case have been ignored or brushed under the carpet”.

After the defence speech, the judge in the trial, Mr Justice Keith, began summing up of evidence, which is expected to last throughout today.

Hannah disappeared after a night out with friends in March 2003.

Kohli, 41, denies abduction, rape, false imprisonment and murder.

Proceeding.