Bennylyn was hope and light of our family.That light has been cruelly snuffed out

Dad tells of torment over pair's death

- ALAN MCEWEN

BENNYLYN and Jellica’'s family told yesterday of the terror and horror” they had suffered.

Bennylyn’s dad Benedicto Aquino and sister Shela were in court to see the jury convict Innes of murder.

Afterwards, the pair appeared with Detective Chief Inspector Graham Smith as he praised their courage”.

A statement later released on behalf of the family said: Bennylyn was the hope and light of our family. That light has been cruelly snuffed out.

“Bennylyn had bright ideas and big dreams. She bravely left home to seek a better future in a country far away. Instead, she found the worst cruelty we could ever imagine at the hands of someone she trusted.

“We shall be forever haunted by what happened to her in this far-off place such a long way from us.

“In the Philippines, poor families like ours very often have daughters and sisters who seek to fulfill their dreams for a better future abroad. Never do we imagine it will end in such terror and horror.

“We cannot drive from our minds what happened to her and what happened to Jellica, or the fear they must have felt after experiencing violence from Andrew Innes.