THE sister of murdered British hostess Lucie Blackman attempted to commit suicide over her grief, her father told a Tokyo court today.

In a statement to judges trying Japanese businessman Joji Obara, Tim Blackman spoke of the sorrow suffered by his family, including his daughter Sophie, 25, and son Rupert, 22.

He said that Sophie was under psychiatric observation and Rupert required constant medical attention.

Ms Blackman, a former flight attendant from Sevenoaks in Kent, was working as a hostess in a nightclub in the Roppongi district of Tokyo when she vanished in July 2000.

Her dismembered body was found in a cave in Miura, a remote and secluded fishing village outside the city, in February 2001, after a seven-month search.

Obara denies the abduction of 21-year-old Ms Blackman, rape resulting in death, and the disposal of her body.

Mr Blackman, from the Isle of Wight, told the court: "I see the despair in the faces of Sophie and Rupert, knowing I can only comfort them with words as I worry how their future will be affected by the loss of their sister."

Obara has not pleaded guilty to any of the charges against him and he denies any involvement in Ms Blackman's death. He also denies further charges of killing another foreign hostess and raping six other women.