Model found guilty of murdering British millionaire

Mayka Kukucova says ‘shots were fired’ during fight but she had acted in self-defence

Mayka  Kukucova appears in court in Malaga, Spain, where she was convicted of murdering her  British millionaire ex-boyfriend. Photograph: PA
Mayka Kukucova appears in court in Malaga, Spain, where she was convicted of murdering her British millionaire ex-boyfriend. Photograph: PA

A Slovakian model who shot her British millionaire ex-boyfriend twice in the head has been found guilty of his murder at a court in Spain.

Mayka Kukucova (26) claimed she "never meant to hurt" Andrew Bush, who died at his home near Marbella on the Costa del Sol.

She told the Ciudad de la Justicia in Malaga that the former jewellery store owner died during a violent struggle. She cried when photos of his body were shown in court.

Mr Bush had returned home unexpectedly from a trip to the UK while his ex-girlfriend was in his house collecting her things.

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Kukucova said “shots were fired” during the fight on April 4th, 2014, but denied murder, saying that she had acted in self-defence.

She was convicted of murder on Friday.

Mr Bush (48) was well known in his home city of Bristol for his jewellery business and was previously married to former BBC Bristol presenter Sam Mason - mother of his daughter Ellie (21).

He met Kukucova when she worked in his shop and the pair were together for two-and-a-half years, she has told the court.

The relationship broke down around six months before Mr Bush was killed. Mr Bush was known for having a keen interest in cars, and it was in his Hummer that Kukucova is reported to have made a getaway on the night he died.

Days later she handed herself to Slovakian authorities and was detained before being extradited to Spain.

Kukucova did not enter a formal plea.

Agencies