A murderer serving life for the racist killing of
A murderer serving life for the racist killing of an Asian taxi driver tried to bribe a crucial witness into changing her story, the Old Bailey heard.
Ricky Lee, 26, was caged eight years ago for beating the cabbie to death, robbing him and hiding the body in the boot.
Compelling evidence against Lee came from a pal’s sister who told jurors Lee had confessed the killing to her.
From his prison cell Lee – who has always maintained his innocence – wrote new statements for the witness and offered ‘wads of notes’ if she lied to the police for him.
But his plot was foiled when one of his letters was intercepted by jail officers at Maidstone prison.
Today (THURS) he was sentenced to 12 months consecutive to his life sentence for forgery and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
The murder trial in 1993 made headline news after jurors heard how Lee and pal Mark Lee (no relation) mercilessly beat up cab driver Fiaz Mirza after trying to dodge paying the fare.
They put him in the boot but Mr Mirza managed to free himself only to be attacked again and then dumped and left to drown in the Royal Albert Docks in east London.
The murder and robbery in September, 1993 was described as a ‘sickening racist attack’.
The court heard how Lee confessed the killing his pal’s sister Diane Lee which proved to be vital in his conviction.
The Old Bailey heard today (THURS) how Lee wrote a letter from his cell to his father and forged the name of a senior prison officer which would allow it to be sent without drawing attention.
‘But the signature was not recognised by prison staff and so it was opened,’ said prosecutor Sarah Plaschkes.
Inside was a note to Lee’s father, of Victoria Docks, east London, giving him instructions to approach Miss Lee.
It said: ‘Here’s the statement to Diane Lee.
If she agrees to come forward she will have to read the notes.
‘She must never say she was approached and must stick to this story.
Tell her that her life will change dramatically for the better if she does it – make her believe it.
‘Show her a big wad of note.
She likes notes.
‘
Miss Plaschkes told the court: ‘There was also a long statement explaining why she had to give the false information.
‘Again it explained she would find herself much better off and her entire life will improve drastically.
‘The letter, of course, didn’t reach her.
‘
Police searched Lee’s father’s home, in Custom House, Victoria Docks and found an electoral register highlighting Miss Lee’s address.
Lee admitted forgery and attempting to pervert the course of justice and received nine months and 12 months respectively to run concurrently with the life sentence he is already serving.
Sentencing him, Judge Giles Forrester said: ‘If you are aggrieved by your conviction there are proper means and channels whereby you can challenge that conviction.
‘Acting in this way is unlawful and whatever your intention it is a serious matter.
‘
ends
