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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.

Alison Patterson with her daughter Lauren
Alison Patterson with her daughter Lauren

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.

Lauren and Alison Patterson in happier times
Lauren and Alison Patterson in happier times

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.

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