THE husband of a Warminster woman who was gunned down while on holiday in South Africa will not rest until her belongings are returned home.

John Conway admitted the inquest into his wife Diane's death on Tuesday was a "step towards closure", but said he would not be able to put the tragedy behind him until he has returned to the murder scene and collected his wife's possessions.

A coroner in Salisbury heard how Mrs Conway was killed last October at the couple's hotel room in Pilgrim's Rest, 190 miles east of Johannesburg.

Golf caddie Prince Mogane, 19, tried to rob Mrs Conway and her retired army major husband, and shot them when they refused his demand for money.

The couple had been spending the last day of their holiday at the Royal Hotel as part of a trip to celebrate Mrs Conway's 60th birthday. The housewife, of St Andrew's Road, Warminster, was shot in the stomach and died at the scene. A bullet struck her husband in the throat but he survived.

Mogane was jailed for life after admitting murder and also sentenced to 46 years in prison for other charges including attempted murder, robbery and illegal possession of a firearm.

Two other men were also arrested in connection with the murder.

Speaking on Tuesday after a verdict of unlawful killing was recorded on his wife, Mr Conway said the family were coping well. He said: "It's the whole British thing about mutual support and moving forward and not standing still. That is what we have done with the family and also with our friends in the Warminster area.

"I said at the time I would continue to support South Africa as a tourist destination but people have just got to be aware that these things go on.

"I do not feel anything for the people who were involved in this."

The inquest heard a report from the South African police and Mr Conway also spoke of the shooting.

He told the hearing: "Three shots were fired. The first missed, the second one hit me and I was heading towards the ground. Diane screamed and he shot her."

A memorial service was held for Mrs Conway in November and family and friends raised around £1,000 for Children in Need in her memory.