Internet bride ‘killed husband’

A WEALTHY British businessman who was run over in Ukraine was “murdered” by his internet bride while they celebrated their first wedding anniversary, his best friend has told an inquest into his death.

Barry Pring, 47, suffered horrific injuries when he was hit by a vehicle – possibly a lorry – while waiting for a taxi outside a restaurant in Kiev with his wife, Ganna Ziuzina, on February 16 2008.

Mr Pring married Ms Ziuzina, a former stripper almost 20 years his junior, in 2007 but his family and friends said they did not believe she loved him and that she treated him coldly.

His best friend, Peter Clifford, was best man at the couple’s Kiev wedding and, giving evidence at the inquest at Devon County Hall, said Mr Pring was “totally under her influence”.

He said: “There is no reasonable doubt in my mind that Barry was murdered, nor is there any reasonable doubt in my mind that Ganna Ziuzina either arranged for, or was complicit in, his murder.”

Coroner Dr Elizabeth Earland said that “strenuous” – but ultimately unsuccessful – attempts had been made to try to get Ms Ziuzina to attend the hearing.

She read out a statement given by Ms Ziuzina, who said she had given three statements to police in Ukraine and did not “believe I can add anything further”.

In concluding the hearing, Dr Earland said she found that Mr Pring had been unlawfully killed.

She said: “His guard was lowered by inebriation. The car had stolen licence plates and did not brake or stop.”

Commenting on the hearing, Det Con Watts said Devon and Cornwall Police had no jurisdiction over the case, but added: “We clearly feel that had we had jurisdiction, and we haven’t, then things might have ended differently.”