Concerns Raised In Court Over Mauritius Murder Investigation

The police investigation into the murder of a Northern Irish honeymooner in Mauritius has been under the spotlight in court.

Defence lawyers for Avinash Treebhoowoon, one of two accused, have cast doubts over his confession, saying he was "subjected to police brutality".

A police statement made by Mr Treebhoowoon two days after Michaela McAreavey’s death in the Legends Hotel last year included the claims: "I was placed on a table. I was undressed and a pail of water was filled. I was then on a chair. I was grabbed by the neck and placed into the pail of water. On the following day, two officers took me in the morning in a van and I was beaten up."

The defence team also accused a police photographer of "catastrophic errors".

Photographer Harris Jeewooth admitted that police officers had not worn protective footwear during a reconstruction at the crime scene three days after the killing.

The court heard that Mr Treebhoowoon was not wearing an anti-contamination suit during the reconstruction.

Avinash Treebhoowoon, 30, and Sandip Moneea, 42, deny murder.

Mrs McAreavey, from Tyrone, was found strangled in the honeymoon suite on 10 January last year.

The trial continues.

(NE)