THE girlfriend of a former Royal Marine beaten to death says she is unable to get closure after the trial of four men accused of his murder was adjourned.

Louise Scott, of Bishops Lydeard, went to South Africa for last week’s hearing into the death of Brett Williams, 29, a year ago.

Brett, who was in Durban on a break from his job protecting ships from pirates, was punched and kicked to death after watching a rugby match.

Louise, who flew home after the rest of trial was put back to September, said the experience had been tough.

“It was pretty difficult,” she said.

“The four men aren’t on remand and can just wander around.

“I was out there for five days and kept bumping into them.

“Coming face to face with them the first time took more out of me than I thought it would – they were just 20 feet away from me. My heart was absolutely racing and I broke down in tears.

Somerset County Gazette: Ex Royal Marine killed in South Africa after rugby match

Brett Williams

“During breaks in the trial, they were wandering around, but we didn’t make eye contact because they were looking at the floor.”

Brett died a year ago today (March 23), which is also Louise’s birthday.

She added: “It’ll be another six months before I get any closure now.

“The last year’s been a struggle. It’s tough adjusting, doing everything on my own.

“I’m feeling alone all the time. I don’t have a boyfriend who I can bounce things off.

“Our daughter, Lailah (aged five) knows Brett’s in heaven and can’t come back – I haven’t told her what happened, but she’ll learn when she’s older.

“She started school in September and is doing well, so that helps keep me focused.

“I’m really grateful to the Soldiers, Sailors Airmen and Families Association (SSAFA) who paid for me to get out to South Africa.”

Brothers Blayne and Kyle Shepard, 23, and 25, Andries van der Merwe, 23, and Dustin van Wyk, 23, all deny murder.

The trial heard they became involved in a verbal exchange with Brett that escalated into a fight.

Somerset County Gazette: The accused - brothers Blayne and Kyle Shepard, Andries 'AJ' van der Merwe and Dustin van Wyk.

The accused - brothers Blayne and Kyle Shepard, Andries 'AJ' van der Merwe and Dustin van Wyk.

The defence tried to shift the blame onto security guards at the game, but their boss, Neil Burger, claimed Blayne Shepard kicked Breet and stamped on his chest in a “brutal and violent and unnecessary” attack before walking away and ‘high-fiving’ a bystander.

The trial will continue.