PHUKET, Thailand (5 Apr 2009) — The widow of a Sussex yachtsman killed by pirates as they sailed off the coast of Thailand has flown home to the UK. It is thought Malcolm Robertson, 64, from Hastings, was beaten and had his throat cut before his body was thrown into the sea on 23 March. He was sailing near Koh Dong island with his wife Linda when their yacht was boarded by three men as they slept. Mrs Robertson, 57, suffered minor injuries after she was tied up and dumped below deck for 10 hours. The body of her husband was found by fishermen about 10 nautical miles north of Satun's Lipeh Island a week after the attack. Her brother, John Clee, 63, from Battle, said he expected the following few days would be "quite stressful" as his sister adjusted to life in the UK. "She appears to be coping, she's excited about coming home now and getting away from where she was, but it will be a whole new ball game when she's back," he said. "I think reality will kick in and she'll have a few bad days." He added Mr Robertson's body was expected to be repatriated within the next week. A memorial service was held in Thailand on Thursday. Petals were thrown into the water off Phuket where the couple's 44ft yacht is berthed, a tree was planted and a marble plaque put up in Mr Robertson's memory. Three Burmese migrants have been charged with kidnap, assault and theft. Now Mr Robertson's body has been found, Thai authorities can bring a charge of murder against the men. Mrs Robertson has already faced the three accused men in court in Thailand, recalling how she feared for her life. Mr Robertson was the owner of a chain of coffee shops around his home town of Hastings and St Leonards. The couple, who had been married for 25 years, had two children each from previous relationships and seven grandchildren between them. Happier times for Malcolm and Linda Robertson. Malcolm's killers partied after they brutally murdered him with hammers and knives. | 
