Hampstead property developer’s appeal over pregnant wife murder rejected
Robert Ekaireb - Credit: Archant
A multi-millionaire property developer serving life for killing his pregnant wife has had an appeal rejected - despite judges agreeing his barrister made an “ill-judged and unprofessional” speech at his trial.
Lihau Cao, whose body has never been found (Picture: Metropolitan Police) - Credit: Archant
Robert David Ekaireb, 41, of Hampstead, was jailed for at least 22 years in January last year after being found guilty of murdering 27-year-old dancer Li Hua Cao.
Although her body was never found, prosecutors said the developer and jeweller - who had an estimated £65m fortune - killed her in 2006 during a row at their luxury flat in Frognal Rise.
He moved out of the flat, had it refurbished and cleaned, and never returned.
The victim’s wedding ring was also discovered in a storage unit, and he did not report her missing.
You may also want to watch:
At the Court of Appeal, Ekaireb’s legal team argued defence barrister, Michael Wolkind QC, was “incompetent” when he delivered his final speech to the jury.
Ekaireb’s appeal was today rejected by the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Thomas.
Most Read
- 1 Royal Free's critical care beds 98pc full as Covid-19 cases top 500
- 2 Is lockdown working in north London? Here's what the latest data tells us
- 3 Joan Bakewell fires legal threat to government over second Covid jab
- 4 Hospital staff describe 'distressing' battle against rising Covid cases
- 5 Camden man charged with prostitution offences and sexual exploitation
- 6 Mikel Arteta 'excited' by Arsenal's appointment of Richard Garlick
- 7 Lord's Cricket Ground used as Covid-19 vaccination centre
- 8 Housing: Billionaire owner of 'squalid shoeboxes' must 'up its game'
- 9 One in ten people without symptoms Covid positive at Haringey centres
- 10 Royal Mail delays in Hornsey 'could see Covid-19 vaccination letters missed'
Despite criticising Mr Wolkind’s speech, the judge concluded the trial was fair and the conviction “safe”.
However, Lord Thomas ordered that Mr Wolkind’s conduct should be referred to professional regulator, the Bar Standards Board.
Sitting with Mr Justice Openshaw and Sir Richard Henriques, he said: “We accept as amply justified the criticism made that it was ill-judged, patronising and contained inappropriate attempts at humour.
“It also contained observations about prosecuting counsel which were completely unprofessional – no advocate should have put these observations into a speech.
“However, it did not reach a level of incompetence that called into question the fairness of the trial or the safety of the conviction.”
The court also rejected Ekaireb’s appeal against his 22-year minimum jail term.
