After fighting for 16 years, we might finally get the closure we need.. to finally let Mum rest

THE former boyfriend of a Scots mum who died on a Greek island 16 years ago is to stand trial for her murder, the Sunday Mail can reveal.

- BY JENNIFER HYLAND

Nikos Koutoulakis has been accused of the murder of Jean Hanlon after a long campaign for justice by her family.

Jean's body was found in Crete's Heraklion harbour in 2009. Her three sons have always believed the 53-year-old, from Dumfries, was murdered.

Last year they hired private investigator Haris Fluskounis, who used details of Jean's diary to identify a potential suspect before passing his findings to Greek prosecutors.

Koutoulakis, 54, who is originally from Crete, is understood to have been charged in January.

However, in August the case was thrown into doubt over claims of insufficient evidence from Greek officials.

But the family's legal team have confirmed appeal judges at Heraklion Judicial Council have ruled that a man will now stand trial for Jean's murder.

Jean's son Michael, 40, said: "We are still in shock because we never thought we would get to this point.

"To now be told that, after looking into the evidence submitted and having investigated it thoroughly, they have overturned a senior's prosecutor's recommendation not to go to trial, after fighting for 16 years, it doesn't feel real yet.

"It is a victory but we've not won the war. We might get the closure we need, to finally let Mum rest."

Jean moved to the village of Kato Gouves four years before her death to start a new life.

She went missing on March 9, 2009, after a night out.