SON BLASTS HANDLING OF Justice system has let my mum down again.. I'm devastated her death has been swept under the carpet in Crete

Charges against prime suspect dropped by authorities

- BY NORMAN SILVESTER

THE family of a Scots mum who died on a Greek holiday island have been dealt a bitter blow after charges against a prime suspect were dropped.

Jean Hanlon's body was found in the sea off the Crete town of Heraklion days after disappearing in 2009 and her loved ones believe she was murdered.

The family, led by son Michael Porter, last year hired a private investigator who identified a potential suspect and passed his findings to Greek prosecutors.

That 54-year-old suspect, who was known to Jean, was charged with manslaughter in January.

But now the family have been told the case is unlikely to go to trial. The prosecutor informed their lawyer on Monday that she considered there to be insufficient evidence.

The family have 10 days to appeal the decision. Michael, 40, said: "Unfortunately the prosecutor in Crete has proposed to file the case, lifting all limitations on the suspect and stopping all trial and prosecution.

"We now have 10 days to file our appeal, which our lawyer and private investigator are working hard on producing.

"I have kept quiet for months now to prevent any harm on the case but yet again the courts and justice system have let Mum down and are trying to sweep it under the carpet again."

Michael said the suspect had a relationship with his mother lasting only a few weeks and appears to have refused to accept it was over.