Janice Hunter case: Cyprus murder-accused husband 'will face lesser charge'

David Hunter cared for his wife Janice when she was diagnosed with blood cancer, his daughter said

A British pensioner arrested over the death of his wife in Cyprus will not face a murder trial after a deal was reached with prosecutors, according to a group working with his lawyers.

Former Northumberland miner David Hunter, 75, admitted killing his wife Janice at their Paphos retirement home.

His legal team argued it was an assisted suicide rather than murder.

Justice Abroad, which helps people navigate foreign justice systems, said he would now enter a manslaughter plea.

The case is due to be next heard at Paphos Assize Court on 5 December.

The couple moved to Cyprus from Ashington several years ago when Mr Hunter retired. They had been married for 56 years before Mrs Hunter's death last year.

Mr Hunter's lawyers initially requested a charge of assisted suicide - saying his wife was terminally ill and he had also tried to take his own life - but that call was rejected.

'Loving relationship'

Justice Abroad said it was hopeful the latest legal moves would see Mr Hunter being released from prison and return home after the next hearing.

The couple had been married for 56 years and moved to Cyprus in their retirement

Director Michael Polak said: "We are very pleased that the murder charge is no longer on the table as our objective all along has been to get David out of prison and back home as soon as possible.

"At the next hearing David's strong mitigation, such as his good character and long and loving relationship with his wife, will be put before the court.

"We hope, given the particular facts of this case, and case law in similar cases from around the world, that the eventual sentence is one that the court could consider suspending.

"We thank everyone from the United Kingdom, Cyprus, and around the world for their support of David and his family at this difficult time."

Earlier this year, Mr Hunter's daughter Lesley Cawthorne described him as a devoted husband who cared for his wife after she became ill with blood cancer.

She added he was a good man who did not deserve to spend the rest of his life in jail.