Man to stand trial for murder of Scottish woman in Greece

The trial of a man accused of murdering a Scottish woman on a Greek island is due to start next week.

The body of Jean Hanlon, 53, was recovered from the water off Heraklion in Crete in 2009.

Her family, from Dumfries, had originally expected the trial to start on Friday but it was adjourned until Tuesday.

Jean's three sons were all in court in Neapoli in Crete for the hearing. They sat metres from the Greek man accused of murdering their mother 17 years ago. He denies any involvement.

Jean was living in Crete when she died. Her death was originally ruled as accidental but the family always suspected foul play.

The case has been closed and reopened four times over the years.

The trial was due to start today but the family found out on Tuesday there was likely to be a delay.

They feared it could be postponed for months so a four-day adjournment came as a relief.

The court heard the accused had appointed a new lawyer who needed time to familiarise himself with the case.

Outside court, Jean's son Michael said getting this far was a massive achievement.

"It definitely felt like she was in there and getting her voice heard," he said.

"Obviously we were incredibly heartbroken and anxious about the potential postponement for four or six months when you build up so much."

His brother Robert Porter described the morning as a whirlwind.

He said: "Fortunately they've shown a bit of compassion in the sense they know we're here… You can only look at it as glass half full at the moment."

The three brothers hope to stay in Crete for the trial next week.

David Porter said he had mixed feelings ahead of the trial starting.

"Emotional but a lot of relief it's going ahead and it's not being pushed back until next year," he said. "It's good it's going ahead soon."

The court has blocked off four days for the trial but it could finish in less time.