'I Wasn't There' Says McAreavey Accused

A former hotel worker accused of murdering a Co Tyrone honeymooner has said he was elsewhere in the gated resort when she died.

Avinash Treebhoowoon, 31, a former room cleaner at the Legends Hotel, denies murdering Michaela McAreavey.

His former supervisor Sandip Moneea, 42, also denies the murder.

Treebhoowoon gave evidence to a court in Port Louis, Mauritius today in his native French Creole, spoken by most people on the island.

The rest of the trial has been heard in English.

Describing his work schedule in detail for the day Mrs McAreavey was killed in the hotel’s honeymoon suite, room 1025, he said he finished work there at 2.35pm, ten minutes before the time police and prosecution said she died.

He said he returned next door to room 1023 because he had forgotten to replace the shampoo there, and only ran back towards the room when he saw the hotel manager and other staff do so.

He described seeing a woman lying on her back, with her husband screaming beside her.

The trial continues.

(NE)