India Houseboat Murder: 'Dutch Man Confesses'

By Alex Rossi, India Correspondent, in Kashmir

Police sources tell Sky News that a Dutch man they have been questioning over the murder of a British woman has now confessed.

Sarah Groves, 24, was found in a pool of blood inside the houseboat she had been living on for up to two months on the Dal Lake in Srinagar, Kashmir.

Officers have named the suspect as Richard de Wit, 43, and said he claimed to have been under the influence of drugs.

He had been staying on a neighbouring boat. When he was arrested 60 miles away he was carrying only his passport and was not wearing shoes. His shoes had been found outside the door of Miss Groves' room, along with hers.

The victim was staying on a houseboat on picturesque Dal Lake

Local police said Miss Groves, from Guernsey, had been stabbed at least 25 times with what was described as a "mountain knife".

The door to her room had also been forced open.

Her body is being sent for medical examination to determine whether she was sexually assaulted before being killed.

Deputy General Inspector Ahafadul Mujtaba told Sky News: "He has told us he killed the girl - we don't know why. He also says he had taken drugs, cannabis.

Shoes sit outside the door of the houseboat where Sarah Groves was staying

"We have taken his blood samples and have sent them away for testing. We have also not ruled out a sexual motive but there was no direct evidence at the scene. We are awaiting medical results."

Under Indian law a confession to a police officer is not admissible in a court of law.

The police say de Wit will be held in custody for the next 14 days whilst they continue to gather evidence.

Miss Groves' brother, Tom, posted on his blog, Justice for Sarah, that his sister had been on the houseboat because she was the girlfriend of the owner's son.

An RIP Facebook site has been set up for tributes to Miss Groves

He wrote: "The media are reporting that Sarah was just a tourist on the houseboat, who had become friends with the owner's son. The truth is that she went up there as his girlfriend."

Samir Shoda, one of the sons of the house boat owner, has been helping the police with their inquiries after finding the body.

Owner Hafeeza told Sky News: "She was very dear to me, she was just like my daughter."

Friends have paid tributes to Miss Groves on Facebook. Underneath a photograph of her smiling, Charlene Carter said: "That beautiful smile I will never forget."

Donna Stacey said: "Waste of a beautiful life just goes to show the world we live in."

Kim Paiva wrote: "I cannot believe it. Such an amazing vibrant friendly person. Your smiling face will be missed. Rest in peace sweet lovely girl."

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