Leybourne: Retrial of man convicted of Lauren Patterson's murder adjourned in Qatar
01:00, 09 October 2016
The retrial of a man accused of murdering West Malling teacher Lauren Patterson was adjourned yet again today, after an agonising wait for her family.
The 24-year-old from Leybourne Chase went missing during a night out in Doha in Qatar, where she was working as a primary school teacher, in 2013.
It was announced this morning that another hearing is due to take place on Sunday, November 27 to recall witnesses.
Alison Patterson posted on Facebook this morning: "Just to let everyone know that there will unfortunately be another hearing on the 27th November, more stalling tactics by the defence."
She added: "I am bitterly disappointed but will never ever give up on justice for Lauren Patterson."
Badr Hashim Khamis Abdallah al-Jabr was found guilty of stabbing her and burning her body in March 2014 - despite saying Lauren had died accidentally.
He was sentenced to death, but in February this year Qatar's court of appeal granted al-Jabr a retrial after quashing his conviction.
Now, after three adjournments, Lauren's mother Alison Patterson has yet again made the long trip to the Gulf State in the hopes of seeing justice being done for her daughter.
So far strangers have pledged more the £30,000 to help Lauren's family to pay for the legal and travel costs to challenge the appeal.
She posted on Facebook to say: "Thank you again to everyone your generosity has meant I can return again for a court hearing in Doha."
At the first hearing, in March the judge deferred the case because the defendant said his counsel wasn't there.
Then in May it was again adjourned after just one day of evidence.
In June, the case was delayed for the third time after issues with the projector in the court room.
Another man, Mohamed Abdallah Hassan Abdul Aziz, was also sentenced to three years in prison for helping the murderer hide Lauren's body, as well as interfering with and damaging evidence which could have helped the authorities.
He has since been released.
Latest news
Features
Most popular
- 1
Boy, 16, found safe after going missing nine days ago
6 - 2
‘This rat-run bridge isn’t wide enough - someone will be killed soon’
- 3
Only shop in village to shut this week as ‘devastated’ couple leave Kent
17 - 4
A-road shut in both directions after water main bursts
- 5
Mum joined teen son in smashing up ex’s family home and car