Murdered Lucie's father marries

Tim Blackman said any plans to marry halted when Lucie disappeared

A candle was lit in memory of murdered bar hostess Lucie Blackman at her father's wedding ceremony.

Tim Blackman, from Ryde, on the Isle of Wight, married Josephine Burr - whom he has known since they went to school together - at the Holy Trinity Church.

Ms Blackman, 21, from Sevenoaks, in Kent, was killed in Tokyo in 2001. Japanese man Joji Obara was acquitted of killing her last April.

Prosecutors began an appeal, which is ongoing, against the verdict in March.

None of Lucie's family were in court for the first of those appeal hearings, but her mother, Jane Steare, from Sevenoaks, in Kent said she would "never abandon the pursuit of justice".

Any plans to marry were halted with Lucie's disappearance Tim Blackman

Although he was acquitted of murdering Lucie, Obara was convicted and jailed for life for raping nine women, one of whom died.

He is also appealing against those verdicts.

Talking of his wedding Mr Blackman said it was put on hold after the death of his daughter.

"After my separation from Lucie's mum, I met Josephine whom I had known as childhood friends.

An appeal over the acquittal of the man accused of killing Lucie is ongoing

"Any plans to marry were halted with Lucie's disappearance.

"Statistically, marriages and relationships are decimated by this kind of tragedy.

"I was in no fit mental state to request a commitment like that. "Josephine fully expected our life together to be on the rocks.

"Only now with the support of my son Rupert as best man and my daughter Sophie as bridesmaid, is it possible for this wish to come true.

"Even so emotions run high with Lucie not at the event."