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Mullanys' honeymoon murderer escapes prison on Antigua | Mullanys' honeymoon murderer escapes prison on Antigua |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Police in Antigua are continuing to hunt for an escaped prisoner who was serving a life sentence for the brutal murder of a south Wales couple on their honeymoon. | |
Avie Howell scaled a 30ft (9m) wall with another inmate on fraud charges. | |
Howell and Kaniel Martin shot Ben and Catherine Mullany, from Pontardawe, in July 2008. | |
Mrs Mullany's mother Rachel Bowen, 64, said: "We have been made aware of the escape and are waiting to hear more." | |
Mrs Mullany, a doctor, died instantly, while her student physiotherapist husband died after he was flown home to Swansea on a life support machine. | Mrs Mullany, a doctor, died instantly, while her student physiotherapist husband died after he was flown home to Swansea on a life support machine. |
As news of their escape broke on Friday, a family friend said they were "shocked" that Howell was able to escape, and there are fears he could leave the island. | |
The friend said: "We are extremely shocked and upset that this man has managed to escape and is on the run. | |
"We want to know how it could happen - he was jailed for life for what he did to Ben and Catherine. He should be under lock and key." | |
Alfred David, acting superintendent of the prison from which Howell escaped, said the two inmates were sharing a cell in a maximum security area and managed to cut ventilation bars to escape. | |
They were last seen during a patrol at 06:00 on Thursday before guards realised they were missing on a subsequent check shortly after 09:20, he said. | |
Mr David added: "The matter is still under investigation." | |
Sgt Raymond Finley said he believed that Howell, who is in his early 20s, was still on the island, and local police and defence forces were searching for him. | Sgt Raymond Finley said he believed that Howell, who is in his early 20s, was still on the island, and local police and defence forces were searching for him. |
The Mullanys' MP Peter Hain said: "It is vital that Howell is hunted down urgently and brought back into jail. | The Mullanys' MP Peter Hain said: "It is vital that Howell is hunted down urgently and brought back into jail. |
"He took part in a gruesome murder of a lovely young couple who had so much to give to their local community and also had a zest for life. | "He took part in a gruesome murder of a lovely young couple who had so much to give to their local community and also had a zest for life. |
"It is unthinkable that Howell is at large." | "It is unthinkable that Howell is at large." |
A Foreign Office spokesperson said: "We are looking into the reports and speaking to the local authorities." | A Foreign Office spokesperson said: "We are looking into the reports and speaking to the local authorities." |
Howell and Martin were convicted of killing Mr and Mrs Mullany in 2011. | Howell and Martin were convicted of killing Mr and Mrs Mullany in 2011. |
The couple, who were both 31, were shot in the head at their luxury hotel on the island and their killers made off with their mobiles, a cheap digital camera and a handful of cash. | The couple, who were both 31, were shot in the head at their luxury hotel on the island and their killers made off with their mobiles, a cheap digital camera and a handful of cash. |
They had married just two weeks before at St John's The Evangelist Church in Cilybebyll. | They had married just two weeks before at St John's The Evangelist Church in Cilybebyll. |
Howell and Martin were also convicted of shooting an island shopkeeper, and handed a life term each. | Howell and Martin were also convicted of shooting an island shopkeeper, and handed a life term each. |
In January 2013 Howell was given another four-year term for a burglary in which cash and mobiles were stolen at a home on Antigua just the month before he murdered Mr and Mrs Mullany. | In January 2013 Howell was given another four-year term for a burglary in which cash and mobiles were stolen at a home on Antigua just the month before he murdered Mr and Mrs Mullany. |