Two Burmese bar workers have been charged with the brutal murder of two young British backpackers on the Thai island of Koh Tao in September this year.

Zaw Lin and Win Zaw Htun, both 21, pleaded guilty in October to killing David Miller, 24, and Hannah Witheridge, 23, after the British pair attended a beach party.

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Mr Lin and Mr Htun later retracted their confession, claiming police had beaten and electrocuted them – a claim Thai police deny.

The mutilated bodies of Ms Witheridge and Mr Miller were discovered on Sairee beach on September 15.

Convicted murderers Win Zaw Htun (left) and Zaw Lin.

An autopsy revealed both had suffered blows to the head and Ms Witheridge had been raped.

Mr Lin and Mr Htun, who were both working in Thailand illegally, have been charged with conspiracy to murder and conspiracy to rape and robbery.

The case has been embroiled in controversy, with human rights campaigners accusing Thai police of mistreating the two men.

The two Myanmar men have also vehemently denied their involvement in the murders, sending a written plea to the victims’ families and British police proclaiming their innocence.

Authorities have denied foul play, saying the conviction was based on strong DNA evidence.