Murder charge 20 years after man vanished in Crete

Steven Cook disappeared in the resort of Malia, Crete, in 2005

A man has been charged with murdering a British man who disappeared on holiday in Greece 20 years ago.

Steven Cook, from Sandbach in Cheshire, was 20 and on his first trip abroad without his parents when he disappeared in the resort of Malia in Crete on 1 September 2005.

His remains were eventually found by workmen at the bottom of a well in 2017, but since then there had been no further developments in the case.

Cheshire Police said it was aware of developments and was in contact with the Greek authorities.

Mr Cook's older brother Chris Cook, 50, told the BBC the family were told the news just days after the 20th anniversary of his death and it raised complicated emotions.

"Whatever we throw into it, we won't get any sense of justice," he said.

"There might be a legal sense of justice, as in somebody is found innocent or guilty.

"But I don't think anything can pay back and and compensate for everything that's happened to us as a family and what we've been through over the past 20 years."

No trace of Steven Cook was found for 12 years

He said this year's anniversary had also been the first his family had to endure without either of his parents, who both died in the past couple of years.

An investigating judge in Greece has referred the case to the Mixed Jury Court of Heraklion, where a hearing will take place on 21 October.

Crete based lawyer Ioannis Kostantoudakis, who represented Steven's family when his body was found, said under Greek law the case could be tried without the suspect being physically present, although the court could also order his presence if it felt necessary which would spark an extradition request to the UK authorities.

Cheshire Police said it was aware of "developments" in Mr Cook's case including that a murder charge had been filed, and that officers had provided information to their Greek counterparts.

Chris Cook said news of the murder charge had raised complicated emotions for the family

The force said: "At this time, we are working closely with the Greek authorities and Steven's family who are being supported by specialist officers."

Remembering his brother, Mr Cook recalled how one of his last memories was going to the 2005 Champions League final to watch Liverpool play AC Milan, a match the team won on penalties after a famous 3-3 clash.

"All of us have absolutely fantastic memories because he was just such a lovely guy," he said.

"There was no bad bone in his body, he was a really, really good kid and he was well loved by all of his friends, people at uni and just not the kind of person you'd ever imagine getting into a situation where something like that could happen."