Accused wouldn’t hurt a fly, ex-girlfriend tells trial

A former girlfriend of the man accused of strangling Nicola Furlong has said the accused, American musician Richard Hinds, was a “sweet” man who “wouldn’t hurt a fly”.

Fellow US citizen Alayna Rodgers, a professional singer, told Tokyo District Court yesterday she had dated Mr Hinds three years ago, when she was 17 and he was 16. He had never once hit her or been rough with her, she added.

Asked if he had ever been violent or used foul language toward her or anyone else, Ms Rodgers said: “No, never. ... He was sweet and fun to be around.