A HEARTBROKEN Bournemouth mother has spoken of her relief after the two "monsters" who murdered her son during a holiday in Croatia lost their appeal.

Marko Rajkovic was jailed for 14 years and Marko Bursic was handed a 12-year prison sentence for the brutal killing of 30-year-old Peter Rushton.

But, following their lengthy trial in Pula, both lodged appeals against their convictions and sentences.

Mr Rushton was holidaying alone when he went missing in October 2005.

The court heard how he had been beaten, stripped and wrapped in a sack stuffed with lead weights.

He was then taken out to sea, under cover of darkness, and thrown overboard.

Peter's mother Grace Rushton told the Daily Echo: "Justice has finally been done.

"As well as losing their appeal Rajkovic has had his jail term increased by another year.

"Prison sentences are not the same in Croatia as here and both will serve their entire term behind bars. They've also been told that they can't appeal again.

"Peter didn't die from the beating - he drowned.

"They are monsters and need to be punished for the terrible things they did to Peter. But it won't bring my son back.

"At least now he can rest in peace and our family can, at last, try to re-build their lives."

The agony of giving her evidence put a tremendous strain on the mother-of-three who suffers from depression and asthma.

When the case was adjourned she was determined to return but couldn't face the agony of hearing Peter's killers giving their evidence.

Now the proceedings have finally come to a close Grace is awaiting the return of his gold chain.

"I'm having bereavement counselling now; this is the beginning of a long and hard road for me but at least I have some closure now.

"The last two years have been hell but I want to thank police officers, who travelled to Croatia for the court proceedings, for their support."