The two people charged with the murders of newlywed British couple Ben and Catherine Mullany in Antigua have appeared in court.

The 17-year-old and 21-year-old males appeared in court on the Caribbean island in connection with the honeymooners' deaths.

They are also charged with robbery and receiving stolen goods.

Neither male entered a plea, but the older man's lawyer Ralph Francis said: "All I will say is that my client maintains his innocence."

Eight people have been arrested since the couple from Pontardwe in south Wales were shot in their cottage at the Cocos Hotel and Resort on July 27 on the last day of their island honeymoon.

Some of the arrests have led to charges for drugs-related offences unconnected to the murders. And on Thursday, two women, aged 32 and 22, were charged with offences relating to property stolen from the Mullanys' holiday cottage.

Det Supt Keith Niven, from Scotland Yard who is in the country to assist with the investigation said: "There is a considerable amount of work yet to be conducted. Now it is a case of preparing the evidence."

Mrs Mullany, 31, a doctor, died instantly in the attack. Her husband, a trainee physiotherapist, also 31, died in hospital in Swansea after he was flown home in a coma.

They were buried in a private ceremony on Wednesday, just one month after saying their wedding vows. It is believed the ceremony took place at St John the Evangelist Church, in Cilybebyll, where they married.

The couple's families are planning a memorial service so relatives, friends and colleagues can pay their respects.

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