17/08/2006

Father faces murder charge after balcony fall

A British man who fell from a hotel balcony in Greece with his two young children has been accused of murder after his six year old son Liam died.

John Hogan, 32, from Bristol also faces an attempted murder charge as his two year old daughter Mia was injured in the fall.

A spokesman for the University General Hospital in Heraklion where his daughter is being treated for a broken arm has described the girl's condition as 'not very serious'.

The incident occurred at the Petra Mare Hotel, a 227-bedroom four star beachfront hotel in Ierapetra, a popular holiday destination on the island.

Greek news sources have suggested that Hogan had an argument with his wife that apparently prompted a suicide attempt.

Mr Hogan, who runs a tiling business, was reported to have broken his arm and leg in the fall and also has chest injuries. He is now was under police guard in Aghios Nikolaos.

The family were reported to have been on a two-week holiday.

(DS/SP)

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