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Slovakian woman found guilty of murdering British millionaire | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A Slovakian woman has been found guilty of the murder of British millionaire Andrew Bush, whom she shot three times at his home on the Costa del Sol in April 2014. | A Slovakian woman has been found guilty of the murder of British millionaire Andrew Bush, whom she shot three times at his home on the Costa del Sol in April 2014. |
Mayka Kukucova, 26, has been on trial at the Ciudad de la Justicia in the Spanish city of Málaga accused of killing Bush, her ex-boyfriend. | Mayka Kukucova, 26, has been on trial at the Ciudad de la Justicia in the Spanish city of Málaga accused of killing Bush, her ex-boyfriend. |
She said she had “never meant to hurt” the former jewellery store owner and broke down in tears when photographs of his body were shown in court. | She said she had “never meant to hurt” the former jewellery store owner and broke down in tears when photographs of his body were shown in court. |
The court heard that there had been a violent struggle moments before Bush’s death, after he had returned home unexpectedly from a trip to the UK while Kukucova was in the house collecting her possessions. She had allegedly been staying in the house for at least two days. | The court heard that there had been a violent struggle moments before Bush’s death, after he had returned home unexpectedly from a trip to the UK while Kukucova was in the house collecting her possessions. She had allegedly been staying in the house for at least two days. |
Kukucova said shots were fired during the fight but had denied murder. | Kukucova said shots were fired during the fight but had denied murder. |
Bush, 48, was previously married to former BBC Bristol presenter Sam Mason – mother of his daughter Ellie, 21. | Bush, 48, was previously married to former BBC Bristol presenter Sam Mason – mother of his daughter Ellie, 21. |
He met Kukucova, a former model, when she worked in his shop and the pair were together for two and a half years, she told the court. The relationship broke down about six months before Bush was killed. | He met Kukucova, a former model, when she worked in his shop and the pair were together for two and a half years, she told the court. The relationship broke down about six months before Bush was killed. |
Bush was known for having a keen interest in cars, and it was in his Hummer that Kukucova is reported to have made a getaway on the night he died. Days later she handed herself in to Slovakian authorities and was detained before being extradited to Spain. | Bush was known for having a keen interest in cars, and it was in his Hummer that Kukucova is reported to have made a getaway on the night he died. Days later she handed herself in to Slovakian authorities and was detained before being extradited to Spain. |
Kukucova did not enter a formal plea, and prosecutors are seeking a 25-year prison sentence. | Kukucova did not enter a formal plea, and prosecutors are seeking a 25-year prison sentence. |
Bush’s sister, Rachel, who gave evidence during the trial, said: “Unless someone has had someone close to them be murdered, they cannot understand how it feels. It was very hard to see Kukucova there in court, telling those lies.” | Bush’s sister, Rachel, who gave evidence during the trial, said: “Unless someone has had someone close to them be murdered, they cannot understand how it feels. It was very hard to see Kukucova there in court, telling those lies.” |
Making a tearful tribute to her father, Ellie Mason-Bush told the court: “He was my only parent growing up. He was the only person that I had.” | Making a tearful tribute to her father, Ellie Mason-Bush told the court: “He was my only parent growing up. He was the only person that I had.” |
She said that even though he and Kukucova had split up, “he was still supporting her and still wanted to help her”. | She said that even though he and Kukucova had split up, “he was still supporting her and still wanted to help her”. |
Maria Korotaeva, Bush’s girlfriend at the time, was sitting in the Hummer waiting for her partner as he was being killed. | Maria Korotaeva, Bush’s girlfriend at the time, was sitting in the Hummer waiting for her partner as he was being killed. |
Giving her account of the night, she told the court: “I never imagined what was happening. Andy had never said anything bad about her, just that he couldn’t be with her anymore.” | Giving her account of the night, she told the court: “I never imagined what was happening. Andy had never said anything bad about her, just that he couldn’t be with her anymore.” |
On Monday, she posted a picture of herself with Rachel and Ellie on Instagram with the caption: “Me, Ellie and Rachel Bush yesterday night in Malaga. We will do anything in our power to get justice.” | On Monday, she posted a picture of herself with Rachel and Ellie on Instagram with the caption: “Me, Ellie and Rachel Bush yesterday night in Malaga. We will do anything in our power to get justice.” |