Omar Benguit was jailed for the murder of Jong-Ok Shin, known as Oki, in 2005. (Dorset Police)
Omar Benguit was jailed for the murder of Shin Jong-ok Shin, known as Oki, in 2005. (Dorset Police)

Lawyers for convicted murderer Omar Benguit, who has spent seven years in prison, have claimed they have uncovered new evidence that proves he is innocent.

Benguit, 39, has always insisted he is not guilty of the murder of South Korean student Shin Jong-ok, 26, known as Oki, in 2002.

He was jailed for life for the murder of the student in Charminster, Dorset, in 2005 after three trials.

Lawyers acting for him have said they have uncovered CCTV footage close to the murder scene in Bournemouth which raises doubts about the prosecution's main witness statement.

Benguit's legal team have named another man, Daniel Restivo, who is serving a life sentence for murder, as the killer.

Oki was found stabbed in the early hours of 12 July, 2002. The main prosecution witness, Beverly Brown, said she had driven Benguit and two other men close to the spot where Oki was killed and Benguit returned to her vehicle covered in blood.

Benguit's lawyers say CCTV footage shows no trace of the car - either a Renault Savanna or Volvo 340 - where she claimed she dropped off Benguit.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, Des Jenson, acting for Benguit, said: "The CCTV footage has been sitting there for 10 years. We have had it enhanced and sent off and our experts say it conclusively shows that no Renault Savanna or Volvo 340 can be seen on the CCTV.

"We think there is sufficient evidence for the CCRC [Criminal Cases Review Commission] to refer this back to the Court of Appeal and we are confident this will happen," Johnson added.

Benguit's legal team also believe the real killer is convicted double murderer Danilo Restivo, also known as the hair fetish killer.

Restivo murdered his neighbour Heather Barnett, 48, four months after Oki was found killed.

Restivo was jailed for life in June 2011 for Barnett's murder. He was convicted last year of the murder of 17-year-old Italian schoolgirl Elisa Claps on September 12, 1993.

Laywers for Benguits claim the knife used in the murder of Oki was similar to the one Restivo was found carrying when he was arrested in 2004 for the murder of Barnett.

A spokesman for the CCRC told the Daily Mail: "Omar Benguit was convicted of Oki Shin's murder. He lodged an appeal and that was dismissed.

"We understand that following an application on behalf of Mr Benguit to the CCRC a review is being conducted."