THE man found guilty of killing South Korean student Jong-Ok Shin was granted leave to appeal against his conviction on May 20.

Omar Benguit was jailed for life in February this year after being unanimously convicted of the murder of the 26-year-old language student.

It was the third time the 33-year-old, of Linwood Road, Winton, and formerly of Lymington, had stood trial for her murder after two juries failed to reach a decision. Judge Heather Hallett, sitting at Winchester Crown Court, told Benguit he would have to serve 20 years in prison before he would be considered for parole.

Moroccan-born Benguit is appealing against his conviction with the help of lawyer Giovanni Di Stefano, who has represented high-profile criminals such as Saddam Hussein and Kenneth Noye.

Benguit's appeal focuses on two grounds. Firstly, that taking him to trial a third time was an abuse of process and, secondly, that prosecutors at the third trial failed to give notice of their intention to present bad character evidence against Benguit.

The decision to grant Benguit leave to appeal was made by Mr Justice Walker at the Royal Courts of Justice in London.

Speaking outside the hearing, Mr Di Stefano said: "That was a good hearing. This man is going to walk free. I am convinced that Omar Benguit is innocent, they have got the wrong man. He did not stab anyone in the back three times."

Benguit's appeal will be heard before three judges on June 9.

Jong-Ok Shin, known as Oki to friends, was stabbed three times in the back as she walked home following a night out in Bournemouth town centre. She was just yards from home when she was attacked in Malmesbury Park Road, in the early hours of July 12, 2002.

Oki had travelled to Bournemouth to improve her English. She had finished her course and was awaiting the results when she was killed.

Her devastated parents say they sent her to England because they believed it was a country "full of gentlemen".

First published: May 21