Two accused in court over rape and murder of British girl, 15, on Indian beach

Two men went on trial today over the killing of British teenager Scarlett Keeling who was found dead on an Indian beach.

The 15-year-old is believed to have drowned after she was attacked and raped in the tourist resort of Goa.

Samson D'Souza and Placido Carvalho appeared in court over her death in February 2008. D'Souza arrived and left wearing a black motorcycle helmet to try to avoid being photographed.

Scarlett was on a six-month holiday with her family when she died. Post-mortem examinations revealed the teenager, from Bideford, Devon, was intoxicated with drugs and alcohol at the time of her death. A report from the government's chief pathologist concluded she had been held underwater for 10 to 15 minutes.

D'Souza, 28, and Carvalho, 36, are accused of culpable homicide, grievous sexual assault and destroying evidence. They are also charged with assault with criminal force with intent to outrage a woman's modesty and administering drugs with intent to harm. The pair, who are on bail, attended a brief initial hearing at the children's court in Goa.

Scarlett's mother Fiona MacKeown, 44, fought a long campaign for a full investigation into her daughter's death after police initially suggested she had drowned accidentally. The police man who first investigated the death was sacked and the doctor who carried out the first post-mortem examination was suspended.

Ms MacKeown has faced allegations of neglect because she left Scarlett alone in Goa.

Statements from 72 witnesses will be heard at the full trial in Panaji, which begins on 5 April and is expected to last until the end of the year. The first witnesses will include 10 people who will tell how Scarlett's semi-naked body was discovered on Goa's Anjuna beach.

Fiona MacKeown today admitted falsely claiming £19,000 income support between February 2005 and March 2008. The case was adjourned until a date to be fixed for sentencing at Exeter crown court.