British backpacker Hannah Witheridge's father weeps over dead body photographs

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Hannah Witheridge was found dead with fellow backpacker David Miller
Her father broke down in tears after graphic pictures were shown in court
Burmese migrants stand charged with murder and rape

By John Hall and Lydia Willgress and Tom Wyke for MailOnline

Published: 05:16 EST, 10 July 2015 | Updated: 07:40 EST, 10 July 2015

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The father of the British backpacker murdered in Thailand cried as graphic pictures of the victims' bodies were shown in court this morning.

Tony Witheridge lowered his head and wept as he and his son saw pictures of Hannah Witheridge's bloodied body on the beach in Koh Tao.

His daughter 23, originally from Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, and David Miller, 24, from Jersey, were brutally killed on the island last September.

In court a forensic officer said that the two victims had suffered severe head injuries and Ms Witheridge had been raped.

Family: The brother and father of murdered backpacker David Miller, leaving court in Koh Samui

Victims: Hannah Witheridge, 23, from Great Yarmouth in Norfolk, and David Miller, 24, from Jersey, were brutally killed on the island of Koh Tao last September

Accused: Burmese migrant workers Zaw Lin (right) and Win Zaw Htun (left) arrive at Koh Samui Provincial Court this morning. The pair initially confessed to the murder but have since retracted their statements

Detained: The trial is likely to be dominated by arguments over whether the confessions were forced

Behind bars: The trial Burmese migrant workers Zaw Lin (right) and Win Zaw Htun (left) finally started today

Burmese migrants Zaw Lin and Wai Phyo, also known as Win Zaw Htun, stand charged with murder and rape.

The pair initially confessed to the crime within days of the victims' bodies being discovered, but they have since retracted that confession, claiming they had been tortured into making it.

The investigation into the deaths has been marred by confusion and allegations of police incompetence.

Today Thai police said that DNA evidence from the murder case had not been lost, despite earlier statements from the police that vital evidence couldn't be re-examined as requested by the defence team because it had gone missing.

Police Colonel Somkiat Kaewmook, deputy police chief of Surat Thani province, and the legal coordinator for forensic police, said no evidence had been lost.

He said: 'Nothing has been lost.There are materials that were finished in the testing process, means they do not exist. But those remaining items that are solid ... we will send to the court.'

The police had also previously been criticised online by Thai social media users, outraged by the slow response from the police to cordon off the crime scene.

Speaking on the first day of the trial on Monday, the first policeman on the scene described getting a call at 6.30am that morning informing him that two bodies had been found on the beach.

'I found a man's body lying on the beach with seawater lapping his body,' said Lieutenant Jakrapan Kaewkao, a witness for the prosecution.

'Then I found the woman's body behind the rocks.'

He added that the bodies, both of which were mostly unclothed, were several yards apart and said Ms Witheridge's bore signs of physical assault. He also said the rocks were spotted with blood.

The defendants are said to have confessed under pressure from local police shortly after the killings but have since retracted those statements.

The family of Hannah Witheridge (pictured), who was murdered in Thailand, have arrived in the country for the start of her alleged killers' trial

The prosecution has also been marred by allegations of a bungled investigation with the defence team claiming the migrants, who worked for low wages in the tourism trade, were scapegoated by an under-pressure police force.

One of their key demands has been the opportunity to independently test controversial forensic evidence against their clients.

Earlier, as he walked into the courtroom defence lawyer Nakhon Chompuchat said he hoped the trial would be a just one.

'We hope the truth will be revealed,' he said. 'We hope the mechanism of justice in Thailand ... will have the same standards of international countries.'

While journalists were allowed into the small courtroom initially they were moved out to make room for others attending the trial including relatives and diplomats.

In a statement, Hannah's parents Tony and Sue, brother Paul and sisters Tania and Laura said they want to see justice for 'the brutal murder of our precious girl'.

The family, from Hemsby, Norfolk, said: 'We have travelled to Koh Samui for the start of the trial into the horrific murders of our beautiful Hannah and David Miller.

'We stand united in our grief with David's family and together wish to have privacy to follow the trial.'

It also paid tribute to the student, who was studying at the University of Essex and wanted to be a speech and language therapist.

Burmese migrants plead not guilty to murder of tourists

Burmese migrants Zaw Lin (left in helmet) and Win Zaw Htun (right in helmet), both 21, were arrested two weeks after their semi-naked bodies were found

The statement added: 'Hannah was a beautiful person, inside and out, she brought a room alive just being there. She was fun, honest and loved life.

'Her bright future was brutally ended leaving those who loved her broken with no answers.

'We of course want to see those responsible for the brutal murder of our precious girl brought to justice.'

A fund set up to help the family cover the costs of the trip to Koh Samui for the trial reached its £10,000 target in March.

The online appeal, which was set up by Hannah's sister Laura, aimed to pay for accommodation and a translator.

Wellwishers exceeded the target and funds now stand at more than £15,631.

After the fund hit its target, Laura said: 'We are completely stunned by the selflessness and kindness of everyone around us.

'The pressure and worry that has been lifted through hitting our goal is enormous... we can now focus our energy and time on preparing for the very difficult months that lie ahead.'

CCTV of Thai murder victims just hours before being killed

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

David Miller's parents, Ian and Susan, were also in court following their son's tragic death. Mrs Miller confirmed that she and her husband had been to Koh Tao, where her son and Miss Witheridge were killed.

She said: 'It's been hard, very hard. Part of the reason for coming out, was to go to Koh Tao. We had one day on Koh Toa, it was really hard.'

The trial began on nearby island Koh Samui last Monday and is expected to end on September 25.

The migrants' defence team have long voiced concerns over the quality of the Thai police investigation, claiming the crime scene was contaminated and that their clients were tortured into confessing.

In April a court approved the defence's request to independently analyse the evidence against their clients, including DNA and physical evidence such as blood stains and a shirt.

But the lead lawyer said his team were later told by the court they would only find out whether they can access the evidence on the first day of the trial.

A verdict is expected in October.