No trace of suspects' DNA on weapon used in Thai beach murders

The trial of the Burmese workers accused of murdering two British tourists in Thailand has heard that there was no trace of their DNA on the suspected murder weapon.

Hannah Witheridge, who was 23, and from Hemsby in Norfolk was found dead in September 2014.

The men accused of killing her, and her friend David Miller from Jersey, deny the charges.

It's the latest dramatic twist in the trial of the Burmese workers accused of killing two British tourists on the island of Koh Tao in Thailand.

The court was told that forensic evidence from the weapon allegedly used to kill 23 year old Hannah Witheridge doesn't match that of the two men accused of her murder.

The two migrant workers have denied the charges, claiming they were tortured for their confessions.

Lawyers for the accused Myanmar men, Zaw Lin and Win ZawHtun, both 22, have made alleged police incompetence and mishandling of evidence central to their defence and sought help from Thailand's foremost forensics expert, Pornthip Rojanasunand, to scrutinise evidence.

Dr Porntip Rojanasunand said there was no DNA trace of either defendant on the garden hoe believed to have killed the British pair.

The police have given conflicting statements about the DNA, saying some was lost or "used up". They later denied that saying the DNA samples were accounted for.

Dr Rojanasunand has been critical of the police investigation.

Verdicts in the trial are expected to be delivered next month.

Click below to watch a report on the trial by Rob Halden-Pratt