Honeymoon killers handed life terms

Avie Howell 20, left, and Kaniel Martin, 23, were given life sentences for the murders of a British couple and a third victim
12 April 2012

Two men who murdered a British honeymoon couple have avoided the death penalty.

Welsh newlyweds Ben and Catherine Mullany were gunned down on the holiday isle of Antigua in 2008 just two weeks after they had tied the knot.

Kaniel Martin and Avie Howell burst into the couple's luxurious beachside hotel chalet during a terrifying dawn raid before shooting them both in the head - making off with a cheap digital camera, an inexpensive mobile phone and a small quantity of cash.

Less than a fortnight later, the pair - known by the street names of Sample Dan and Demon respectively - then went on to kill local shopkeeper Woneta Anderson in almost identical circumstances.

But Martin and Howell were spared capital punishment, with the judge instead deciding to give both men three consecutive life sentences.

Detective Superintendent Keith Niven, who led the Met's investigation team which flew out to Antigua, described the levels of violence used by Martin and Howell as incomprehensible.

He said: "Howell and Martin took the lives of an innocent defenceless couple who were just beginning married life together. Ben and Catherine were hard-working, thoroughly decent people, celebrating their marriage with a luxury honeymoon on a Caribbean island.

"Howell and Martin had stolen a lethal weapon before setting off on what can only be described as a killing spree. The levels of violence inflicted upon their victims in order to steal such low-value property was incomprehensible - and leads me to believe that murder was their primary intention."

On what was supposed to be their last full day in Antigua, Martin and Howell burst into the couple's chalet at Cocos hotel at 5am. After forcing the 31-year-olds to kneel in front of the bed at gunpoint, the pair shot them in the back of the head before making off with their ill-gotten gains.

Morriston Hospital doctor Mrs Mullany died instantly, while her husband was flown back to Wales on a life support machine via a specialist air ambulance. He died a week later.

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