Chelsea trial delay shock
Family of Chelsea Hyndman,from Castleford, who was killed in Crete two years ago -mum Heather Hyndman, her partner Neil Lorriman and their daughter Mia
DEVASTATED relatives of Castleford woman Chelsea Hyndman have been left reeling after the trial of her boyfriend – accused of causing her death in Crete – was delayed this week.
Chelsea, 20, died in May 2010 of ruptured internal organs – her boyfriend Luke Walker, 24, denies a charge of causing her death by actual bodily harm.
Greek prosecutors claim Walker beat Chelsea, causing her injuries, but he says she fell during a night out in Malia, where the couple were living and working.
But his trial, which started on Tuesday in Crete, lasted less than an hour when it was adjourned because key prosecution witnesses had not been summoned.
Walker, of Brierley Hill, West Midlands, who was held on remand for five months and then bailed on condition he remained in Crete, has been given permission to return to the UK until the trial is rescheduled – although a strike by Greek judges means a date cannot be set.
Neil Lorriman, partner of Chelsea’s mother Heather Hyndman, said on Tuesday night: “We’re extremely frustrated. It is difficult to take and obviously not what we were expecting. We never even got the chance to say anything.
“We are looking at our options now to find out where we go from here.”
Heather and Neil were in the court when the trial was adjourned. Before travelling to Crete, Heather had spoken of her fear and dread of facing the trial, but added: “I know I’m fighting for her.”
Heather’s employer Wilkinson has given her £5,000 towards her legal costs and hired a Greek solicitor, while her colleagues have held a fundraising night to help the family’s legal costs.
Walker said after the hearing: “I expected the trial to go ahead today – I thought this would be it now. I haven’t even thought about what I’ll do when I get home. It hasn’t crossed my mind. I’m actually feeling a bit scared about it, but it’s amazing news.”
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Sunday 19 May 2013
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