Honeymoon groom dies in hospital

The bridegroom shot in Antigua while on honeymoon with his wife has died in hospital in Wales, an NHS spokesman said yesterday.

Ben Mullany, 31, died on Sunday at Morriston Hospital in Swansea after being flown home from the Caribbean early the day before. The physiotherapist had been in intensive care since being shot in the neck when the couple were attacked in their hotel bungalow in what media reports initially said was a botched robbery.

His wife Catherine, also 31, was shot dead in the attack on the last day of their honeymoon. The pair were shot during a suspected robbery at their holiday cottage in Antigua at the end of their honeymoon after a wedding in south Wales on July 12. Police have not charged anyone with the shootings.

"Ben Mullany has now passed away," a hospital spokesman said. "The thoughts of all the staff who were involved in Ben's care are with his family at this very sad time." Their joint funeral is expected be held at the same south Wales church where they were married three weeks ago, according to media reports.

British detectives are to fly out to the island after local police, who have limited resources, asked the Foreign Office for help.

A reward of £67,000 has been offered for information leading to the conviction of the killer.