Man charged over 2009 murder of woman in Greece

Jean Hanlon, from Dumfries, was found dead in Heraklion, Crete, in 2009

A man has been charged with the murder of a Scottish woman who died on a Greek Island 16 years ago.

Jean Hanlon's body was recovered from the sea, near Heraklion, in Crete in 2009.

The death of the 53-year-old, from Dumfries, was initially ruled accidental by the Greek authorities, but the case was reopened after campaigning by her family.

In July, a senior prosecutor recommended that the man should not stand trial and charges should be dropped.

But that decision was overturned by the Council of Judges of the First Instance Court of Heraklion.

First reported in the Sunday Mail newspaper, it has now been confirmed a 54-year-old local suspect will stand trial in connection with her death.

The investigation into Ms Hanlon's death was reopened in June last year after a private investigator hired by her son, Michael Porter, passed a 24-page report to Greek authorities.

Mr Porter told BBC Scotland News it had been a "massive fight" to give his mother her day in court.

He said: "There is a lot of mixed emotions, especially over the last 16 years we have had so many highs and then been kicked down to the floor again.

"But this is amazing, we are finally going to get our mum's day in court and we are going to get her justice."

Michael Porter said he planned to travel to Crete for the trial

Ms Hanlon had been living in Kato Gouves, a village about 12 miles (19km) from Heraklion, for a number of years and had been working in local bars and tavernas.

Her body was discovered on 13 March 2009, four days after she was reported missing.

Fresh appeals from a television documentary and an appearance on the Greek equivalent of Crimewatch failed to yield any information.

A specialist unit investigating organised crime on the island in 2021 also assessed the case to no avail, though did rule it as "foul play".

The man, who was known to Ms Hanlon prior to her death, was questioned in January.

Mr Porter said he planned to travel to Crete for the trial, which lawyers have advised him should take place within six to eight months.

He said the case had only reached its latest point thanks to the determination of his family.

Mr Porter added: "When they originally decreed she had died in a drowning accident, having unfortunately seen our mum and the state she was in, we knew that wasn't possible.

"If we hadn't fought for that, they would have just covered this up.

"We didn't allow them to sweep it under the carpet."