Room-Cleaner Gives Evidence At Mauritius Murder Trial

A room cleaner at the luxury hotel where a Tyrone newly-wed died has begun giving evidence at the murder trial of two of his former colleagues.

Raj Theekow claims to have heard a female voice crying out from Room 1025 at Legends Hotel, where Michaela McAreavey was staying while on honeymoon in Mauritius.

Prosecutor Mehdi Manrakhan told a jury at the Supreme Court in Port Louis: "He heard a female voice crying and then 'Agh, agh, agh' as if she was in pain."

He said Mr Theekoy then saw the men accused of the murder leave the room, when one said to him "nothing happened, just keep quiet", and the other said "if you say anything, I'll get you involved in the case".

Defendants Avinash Treebhoowoon, 30, and Sandip Moneea, 42, have denied charges of premeditated murder.

The prosecution's case was outlined yesterday at court on the Indian Ocean island.

Widower John McAreavey was present for part of the proceedings.

Mr Manrakhan said the new husband had discovered his wife dead in the bath after she failed to return from getting biscuits to go with her tea.

A member of hotel staff helped him open the door to their shared room.

Medical findings from a post-mortem examination showed that Michaela had died from asphyxiation and Mr Manrakhan said she had been "brutally killed”.

The trial continues.

(NE)