Hiroaki Hidaka, 37, was given the death sentence for...

Hiroaki Hidaka, 37, was given the death sentence for murdering four women over a five-month period in 1996. The Hiroshima District Court convicted the former taxi driver of robbery, murder and abandonment of his victims' corpses. "In light of the planning and persistence of these cold-blooded crimes, the ultimate sentence is the only recourse. The families of the victims share this view." Presiding Judge Saburo Tokura said as he handed down the ruling. Hidaka had pleaded guilty to all charges and asked that he be sentenced to death. Hidaka's death sentence was confirmed on February 24, because he did not appeal his sentence before a midnight deadline on February 23, court officials said. Hidaka was sentenced to die by hanging.