Kohli sentenced to life for murdering Hannah Foster (From Daily Echo)

Kohli sentenced to life for murdering Hannah Foster

1:20pm Tuesday 25th November 2008 in Hannah Foster By Jenny Makin, Assistant News Editor

MANINDER Pal Singh Kohli has today been found guilty of the brutal murder of teenager Hannah Foster and sentenced to at least 24 years in jail.

After a day of deliberations jurors reached unanimous verdicts for the abduction, false imprisonment, rape and murder of the 17-year-old.

Father of two Kohli stood motionless in the dock and simply nodded as the foremen revealed they had found him guilty of all charges.

Crying was heard from Hannah's family in the public gallery.

The 41-year-old now faces life behind bars for the horrifying crimes in 2003.

Complete coverage of the trial - click here

A-level student Hannah, who was set to become a doctor, was snatched from the street as she walked home from a night out with friends.

Kohli grabbed her as she walked the final few yards to her house on Grosvenor Road in Portswood before bundling her into his van that he used to deliver sandwiches for a company in Empress Road, Southampton.

Her body was found after a young boy saw it lying in brambles at the side of Allington Lane, West End, two days later on March 16 2003.

Timeline to catching a killer - click here

A major murder hunt was launched but Kohli had already fled the country to his native India where he went on the run.

He was only caught when Hannah’s parents Hilary and Trevor Foster made an emotional visit to the country in July 2004 to appeal for information on his whereabouts.

How Kohli was extradited - click here

A £70,000 reward was put up and a special call centre opened and within hours several people had telephoned with information.

Kohli was finally arrested by Indian police on July 15 at a bus stop as he waited to cross the border to Nepal.