Qatari ‘killer’ found guilty of 'raping and stabbing’ British woman could now walk free
A QATARI man found guilty of murdering a British teacher and dumping her burnt remains in the desert could walk free after his sentence was overturned.
Al-Jabr (right) is facing a retrial for the murder of Lauren Patterson
Badr Hashim Khamis Abdallah al-Jabr was found guilty of the brutal killing of Kent-born Lauren Patterson two years ago.
The teacher, 24, had been raped and stabbed to death in Qatar the previous year and her killer was handed a death sentence.
His accomplice, Mohamed Abdallah Hassan Abdul Aziz, was jailed for three years for his role in the murder – a sentence which is less severe than those for some traffic offences in the Arab nation.
But al-Jabr's appeal against his sentence was successful, and he now faces a retrial later this month.
Patterson had moved to Qatar to work as a teacher
Ms Patterson’s mother, Alison Patterson, has been forced to make the gruelling 14 hour round trip to Qatar 11 times in order to attend a series of court hearings.
The devastated mum – who can no longer afford to fund her trips to the tiny Gulf state – has even had the "horrible" experience of coming face-to-face with al-Jabr in the corridors of the Qatari courthouse hosting the trial.
Alison is now fighting to have the man she believes murdered her daughter caged for life – as the death penalty "does not sit easy" with her.
She said: "He has a family, he has a mum. His mother didn't do it."
Flowers laid at the scene Lauren's body was found
The heartbroken mum has set up a crowdfunding page to pay for the legal bills for the imminent retrial.
Her appeal has raised a sensational £17,530 in just 18 days – but is still over £10,000 shy of its £30,000 target.
Al-Jabr had his death sentence overturned
In an emotional appeal posted on the popular GoFundMe website, she wrote: "I need your help. I am one woman, a small voice against a judicial system I don't understand.
"With many voices maybe justice will prevail."