A CLOSE friend of an Abertillery woman fatally stabbed in Goa told of his shock after her boyfriend was arrested by police.

Mother-of-four Catherine Campbell, 43, was found dead in a hotel room at the resort of Vagator on Christmas Day.

Blood-stained broken scissors were also found in the room.

Her boyfriend, Adrian Duggan, was treated for chest injuries at the Goa Medical College in Bambolim and was arrested this week by police in Goa.

Jonathan Williams, 36, of River Row, Blaina, a friend of Ms Campbell for eight years, said yesterday: "I never once saw them have a raised argument, and I saw them more than anyone else.

"I thought Adrian was good for Cathy."

Ms Campbell moved to Wales 18 months ago because she was unhappy with her life in London. Factory-worker Mr Duggan, of Blaina, split with his wife Linda, 39, last year.

The couple had been together for nearly six months and had recently moved into Ms Campbell's house in Railway Terrace, Abertillery.

Mr Williams and his twin 18-month-old daughters were due to join the couple in Goa but pulled out because of the number of injections the children needed.

"We have been on holiday with Cathy and Adrian before," he said. "Catherine was such a vivacious and loving person. If she could help anyone out, she would.

"To lose her like this is just devastating."