Man accused of murdering two British backpackers in Thailand claims he was
'sexually tortured during a violent interrogation before being told to
confess'
Wei Phyo alleged police stripped him naked and flicked him in the groin
22-year-old also claimed senior officer persuaded him to confess to crime
Wei and co-accused Zaw Lin have pleaded not guilty to the murders
Hannah Witheridge and David Miller were killed on Kah Tao in september

   A Burmese man accused of murdering British backpackers Hannah
   Witheridge and David Miller has alleged police sexually tortured him
   during a violent interrogation.

   Wei Phyo told three judges at Koh Samui court that police stripped him
   naked in a very cold room and 'flicked' him in the groin 'very hard'.

   The 22-year-old also claimed it was a senior officer in plain clothes
   who persuaded him to confess.
   Wie Phyo, who is accused of murdering British backpackers Hannah
   Witheridge and David Miller, has alleged police sexually tortured him
   during a violent interrogation. He is pictured (rear) with his
   co-accused Zaw Lin, (front)

   Wie Phyo, who is accused of murdering British backpackers Hannah
   Witheridge and David Miller, has alleged police sexually tortured him
   during a violent interrogation. He is pictured (rear) with his
   co-accused Zaw Lin, (front)

   Wei has since pleaded not guilty to the murders. His co-accused Zaw
   Lin, also 22, has done the same.

   Wei told the judges yesterday: '[Police] left me naked and handcuffed
   in a freezing room for more than an hour and during that time a police
   officer came into the room and flicked me very hard.

   'I tried to protect myself but he pulled my legs apart and then they
   took photographs of me naked.'

   He added that as police continued to try to force him to confess to the
   killings on neighbouring island Koh Tao they kicked him in the back,
   punched him and slapped him.

   He alleged: 'They threatened to chop off my arms and legs and throw my
   body into the sea to feed the fish.

   'They also said they would push me into another room and electrocute
   me.'
   The British backpackers - Miss Witheridge, from Great Yarmouth in
   Norfolk, and Mr Miller, from Jersey - were killed on the island of Kah
   Tao in September
   The British backpackers - Miss Witheridge, from Great Yarmouth in
   Norfolk, and Mr Miller, from Jersey - were killed on the island of Kah
   Tao in September

   The British backpackers - Miss Witheridge, from Great Yarmouth in
   Norfolk, and Mr Miller, from Jersey - were killed on the island of Kah
   Tao in September
   Their semi-naked bodies were discovered on the beach (pictured) near
   rocks only 100 yards from bars and other buildings

   Their semi-naked bodies were discovered on the beach (pictured) near
   rocks only 100 yards from bars and other buildings

   Wei also claimed it was a senior officer in plain clothes who
   ultimately persuaded him to confess to the rape and murder of
   23-year-old Miss Witheridge, from Great Yarmouth, and to the murder of
   Mr Miller, 24, from Jersey.

   He said: 'He told me I was young and I could just say I did it and just
   go to prison for several years.

   'If I didn't say I did it I would certainly be killed. An interpreter
   said he could help me so I then signed many documents but I didn't know
   what they said.'

   Police and the translator then instructed him on how he should say he
   killed the British couple, he claimed.

   Prosecutors also told the court that a mobile phone, said to belong to
   Mr Miller, linked Wei to the murders.
   Wei, 22, also claimed it was a senior officer in plain clothes who
   persuaded him to confess

   Wei, 22, also claimed it was a senior officer in plain clothes who
   persuaded him to confess
   CCTV footage from the evening showed Miss Witheridge with a friend
   walking along a street near some bars

   CCTV footage from the evening showed Miss Witheridge with a friend
   walking along a street near some bars

   Wei said he had found the mobile, which was discovered near a house
   where he was staying, on Sairee beach and had taken it home but could
   not unlock it.

   He alleged that when he heard about the murders the following day he
   was worried the phone might be related to someone involved in the
   killings so his friend smashed the phone and tossed it into bushes near
   the house.

   Defence lawyers said the British embassy had not confirmed the phone
   belonged to Mr Miller.

   They added that this was because the case could end in a death sentence
   for the accused men and the UK was opposed to supporting charges that
   could result in prisoners being executed.

   The trial continues.