Pair In Court Over Thailand Beach Murders

Two men have appeared in court charged with murdering British backpackers Hannah Witheridge and David Miller in Thailand.

Police say the Burmese workers, named Win and Saw, have admitted killing the pair on Koh Tao beach - claiming they were jealous.

The handcuffed suspects, who are also charged with rape and robbery, appeared before a judge on the neighbouring island of Koh Samui on Saturday.

They were remanded in custody for a further 12 days and could face the death penalty if convicted.

On Friday, the pair wore crash helmets and police vests to protect them from angry locals as they were paraded by officers in a bizarre reconstruction of the crime.

At one point Win was told to play the guitar as part of the reconstruction before acting out the murders of Mr Miller, 24, and Miss Witheridge, 23, on Sairee beach.

He also held a dustpan to represent the garden hoe allegedly used in the killings on 15 September.

Mr Miller, from Jersey, died from drowning and a blow to the head, while Miss Witheridge, from Great Yarmouth, died from head wounds.

Thai National police chief Somyot Poompanmoung said: "The suspects saw them kissing and were aroused, so they attacked and got rid of the man and proceeded to rape the female victim.

"There was clear evidence: forensic evidence, (testimony from) witnesses and other evidence, as well as closed-circuit television footage."

Provincial police chief Kiattipong Khaosamang said Win, 21, and Saw, 23, have also admitted raping Miss Witheridge.

A third Burmese man is being questioned on suspicion of involvement.