DNA on weapon used in murder of British backpackers 'does not match defendants'

DNA found on the weapon allegedly used in the murder of two British backpackers in Thailand does not match either of the defendants accused of killing them, their trial has heard.

Hannah Witheridge, 23, and David Miller, 24, were found dead on the island of Koh Tao on September 15 last year.

Burmese migrants Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo - also known as Win Zaw Htun - are on trial for the killings and deny the charges.

Miss Witheridge, from Norfolk, was raped and beaten while Mr Miller, from Jersey, was hit around the head with a garden hoe before drowning in the sea.

During the trial of Lin and Phyo, the head of Thailand's forensic institute, Porntip Rojanasunand, revealed experts had found DNA on the bloodied hoe and that it belonged to two men, but not the 22-year-old defendants.

Prosecutors say the DNA evidence, collected from cigarette butts, a condom and the bodies of the victims, links the two men to the killings and defence lawyers have been requesting that evidence for re-examination since April.

Andy Hall, a British migrant rights activist working with the defence team, said the development was the first breakthrough in the men's case.

Mr Hall said: "The police previously said they did not test the weapon, so we asked for a retest.

"We recently got the results and the doctor came to court to testify that there was no trace of the two defendants.

"It is our case that there has never been any evidence to link the two boys to the murder weapon and our case over the coming weeks will focus on the reliability of forensic evidence."

The investigation has been full of controversy, with the two bar workers accused of the killings withdrawing confessions after allegedly being pressured into making them.

The trial continues.