Gunned-down honeymoon woman 'fought for her life'

A BRITISH newlywed shot dead on honeymoon in Antigua fought for her life before she was executed in a pair of white pyjamas embroidered with her married name, a court has heard.

Catherine Mullany was gunned down alongside husband Ben in their luxury beachside resort, little more than a fortnight after their wedding day in July 2008.

She was later found by a doctor lying on the floor of their cottage in a "defensive" stance, as if she had tried to fend off an attack, jurors were told.

Her nightwear had been embroidered with the words "Mrs Mullany".

Oritta Zacharia, a doctor working for the Caribbean nation's ministry of health, said the 31-year-old had "fresh" bruising.

"In my opinion, she appeared to have been in a fight before she would have died," she said.

The Mullanys, from Swansea, south Wales, were on the final day of their honeymoon when at least one gunman burst into their room at the 330-a-night Cocos Hotel. Mrs Mullany, a doctor, died at the scene of what appeared to have been a botched robbery. Her husband, also 31, was fatally injured.

Avie Howell, 20, and Kaniel Martin, 23, are on trial for their murders. They are also accused of killing local shopkeeper Woneta Anderson, 43. They deny all the charges.