Police have arrested a teenager and a 21-year-old man in connection with the brutal killing of 17-year-old Rebecca Middleton.

Officers arrested two Pembroke men yesterday afternoon -- just a day after a $10,000 reward was offered for information on the slaying.

Last night Police spokesman P.c Gary Venning said in a statement: "I can confirm that two men, aged 17 and 21 and both from Pembroke Parish, were taken into custody and are assisting with enquiries into the death of Rebecca Middleton.'' He added: "We are, however, still appealing for any witnesses or people with information who may not yet have come forward to contact the Police.'' Ms Middleton's father David said last night he hoped Police had "the right people.'' He added: "It will be interesting to see if it's good, hard, solid evidence -- eventually the clincher will be the the DNA testing.

"Once the evidence is conclusive, I will feel much better.'' Ms Middleton, from Belleville, Ontario, was just two weeks into a six-week visit and was staying with her friend, Jasmine Meens at her father's home in Smith's Parish.

The two girls were at a party in St. George's -- at the home of a Policeman -- shortly before the incident eight days ago. It is understood they had telephoned four times for a taxi to get home, but none arrived.

Ms Middleton and Ms Meens were seen sitting on a wall on Mullet Bay Road and it appears Ms Meens was given a ride on one bike, but Ms Middleton went on a bike with two men.

Her body was found naked in a pool of blood in the early hours of last Wednesday morning by a passing motorist on Ferry Road.

Witnesses said her chest had been stabbed and throat slit, reportedly from ear to ear. Police have confirmed she was sexually assaulted.

She was buried at her home town on Tuesday in an emotional ceremony attended by more than 1,000 people. A lone piper played Amazing Grace.

Since the murder Police put up a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the people responsible for the killing. There have also been about ten calls to Crime Stoppers.

Officers have also questioned 14 people -- but last night the Police were accused of infringing people's civil rights.

Lawyer Archie Warner said at least four of his clients had been questioned by Police because they were light skinned blacks and were in the St. George's area. Police said one man riding the bike was darker than the other.

He alleged that blood samples had been taken from the people illegally which he said was "totally unacceptable''.

"It is not harassment. It is a breach of civil rights. At least four of my clients contacted me and I understand that several others from the St.

George's area were questioned because they were light skinned and happened to be in the area,'' said Mr. Warner.

A fund has also been started in Ms Middleton's named in Canada and last night Premier David Saul urged Bermudians to make donations.

The Rebecca Middleton Scholarship Trust was set up in Canada, but local dentist Dr. Ian Campbell is collecting donations in Bermuda.

"Now that Rebecca's funeral has been held I would like to urge members of the public to make a contribution to the Trust,'' said Dr. Saul. "The outpouring of sympathy and respect for the dignity and privacy of the Middleton family reflects great credit on Bermudians and, one hopes, will help make the family's pain a little easier to bear.'' Anyone who wants to make donations can make out cheques in Dr. Campbell's name and send them to PO Box DV 591, Devonshire DV BX.

Anyone with information on the murder can contact the incident room on 299 4281.

The news in the visitor murder came as three men detained in connection with the brutal shooting of James Caines, 28, were released on Police bail.

It is understood no-one has yet been charged in connection with Mr. Caines' murder, although a file on the case is being examined by the Attorney General's Chambers.

Mr. Caines was shot down through a glass door panel in a house in Middletown Lane, Pembroke, on Saturday night. The dying man staggered several hundred yards to his home in Union Street and collapsed in the arms of his shocked mother, Sandra Cyrus. But Ms Cyrus said her son named his killer before he died.