"I wasn't there when she needed me most" - Hannah's mum (From Daily Echo)

"I wasn't there when she needed me most" - Hannah's mum

1:02pm Tuesday 25th November 2008 in Hannah Foster By Jenny Makin, Assistant News Editor

HANNAH Foster’s mother Hilary told the court of how the brutal death of her daughter had devastated their family.

Describing the extent of her grief and her own guilt at not “being there when Hannah needed her most” Mrs Foster told of her continuing agony at her daughter’s murder.

In a statement read to Winchester Crown Court by Hannah’s aunt Gill Lewis, Mrs Foster described the moment she and husband Trevor had to identify Hannah’s body.

“When Trevor and I saw Hannah in the mortuary I couldn’t believe what I was seeing. There must be some mistake. The cold, bruised and battered body certainly looked like Hannah, but where was the sparkle in her eyes, the radiant smile, the warmth and tenderness of her touch?

“Hannah was vibrant, graceful, gentle and so alive. No, this can’t have happened.

She described how her daughter would have been “frozen with fear” at what was happening to her. “For the rest of my life I will feel the guilt that I wasn’t there when she needed me most.

“She died terrified and alone with an evil stranger,” she said.

“I would give anything to change places with Hannah, to take away the terror and pain she suffered that night.”

Mrs Foster revealed how she still takes medication for post traumatic stress disorder and that she continues to be haunted by recurring nightmares.

Of Kohli she said: “This evil man walked uninvited into our lives and destroyed Hannah in pursuit of his own depraved sexual gratification.

“He has wrecked our family. His contempt for human life is beyond comprehension.

“Hannah has been robbed of the medical career that she wanted so much and for which she was so well suited.

“She would have qualified as a doctor this year, a valuable member of society. Hannah will never be the blushing bride; never have children of her own. The sense of loss is unbearable. We are heart broken and will always remain so.

“Hannah, your short life enriched the lives of so many people. You will never be forgotten, loved forever my darling little girl, may you now rest in peace.”