Hannah detective's warning to suspect

By Hannah Bayman
BBC News Online, Southampton

The detective leading the hunt for the killer of teenager Hannah Foster has warned the prime suspect he will not last another year on the run.

Maninder Kholi left his wife and two young children in Southampton

Maninder Pal Singh Kholi fled Britain for India last March, two days after the 17-year-old college student was found raped and strangled on the outskirts of Southampton.

Detective Superintendent Alan Betts, who has flown to India twice to gather evidence on Mr Kholi, said Hannah's parents were "frustrated" Mr Kholi has still not been caught.

Despite a £14,000 reward on offer for information leading to his arrest, Indian police have yet to make a breakthrough.

But Mr Betts warned the 35-year-old that the price on his head - equivalent to 1,000,000 rupees - means the net will soon close in.

He told BBC News Online: "The reward is a lot of money in India and I am sure it could totally transform someone's life.

Hannah's suspected killer has a million-rupee price on his head

"I would really like it to become the case that nowhere is safe for him.

"I would say to Kholi - it can't be nice looking over your shoulder all the time wondering if the police are going to come that day or the next.

"Why not get in touch and we will be happy to see you."

Hannah's parents Trevor and Hilary may be invited to join police on a future trip to India.

Mr Betts added: "They are frustrated and so am I, because we and they would dearly love to know where this man is and for him to be in custody.

"It is obviously a difficult time for them."

'Kind-hearted girl'

Mr Betts interviewed Mr Kholi's family in the Punjab, including his father and two brothers, one of whom is a serving police officer, in particular questioning them on his relationship with wife Shalinder Kaur, 33.

Ms Kaur was stopped from taking an Air India flight to join her husband with their two children, aged five and seven, soon after he left Britain and she may be ordered to give evidence at a future trial.

Trevor and Hilary Foster said their daughter had been "taken from them at a time when she was enjoying life to the full".

Hannah, who was studying A-levels at Barton Peveril College in Eastleigh, had won a place to study medicine at two universities.

She was last seen waving goodbye to a friend after a night out on 14 March 2003, just half a mile from her home in Grosvenor Road, Portswood.

A family statement said: "She was a warm, kind-hearted 17-year-old girl who could always see the good in others.

"Hannah's death is a loss to so many people."

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Contact Hampshire Police on 0845 045 45 45 from mainland UK or [phone] from outside the UK.