John Hogan, from Bradley Stoke, has been cleared of murder and manslaughter charges.

He was accused of the murder of his son, Liam, 6, in Crete and the attempted murder of his daughter Mia, 2.

He will spend a minimum of three years in a psychiatric unit in Greece – and could serve part of that in the UK.

President Paraskeri Kiraleou, the senior judge at the trial, said: “His responsibility was diminished. He was incapable of murdering his son and he needs to be in a psychiatric unit for therapy.”

Other reports on the verdict:
BBC News | Sky News | The Daily Telegraph | Press Association | AFP | Reuters | The Times

News and media round-up from day three of Bradley Stoke man John Hogan’s trial on charges of murder in Crete.

7.40am: BBC News [link]

Natasha Hogan, the ex-wife of the man on trial for the murder of their son, has returned for the first time to the place where he was killed.

8.45am: Both John and Natasha Hogan have arrived in court.

9.05am: BBC News [link]

The trial of a British man who leapt from a hotel balcony with his two children is due to resume in Crete.

10.30am: BBC News [link]

Mr Hogan told the court: “I loved my mother, I loved my two sisters but I loved my wife and children more than anything. They meant the world to me.”

1.00pm: Jury has gone out to consider verdict.

Media round-up from day two (adjorned day) of Bradley Stoke man John Hogan’s trial on charges of murder in Crete.

The Times [link]

For the fiercely family-orientated Cretans the crime is one of the worst. If Mr Hogan is found guilty of murdering his own child the seven-strong mixed panel of judges and lay people will be told that he should be sentenced to the maximum 25 years.

BBC News [link]

The defendant, John Hogan, her former husband, could feel her breath on his neck as she gave evidence that could condemn him to a life sentence.

Monday: Sky News [link]

After the trial was adjourned, Mrs Hogan said: “It has come as somewhat of a shock that the court has come to this point they cannot reach a verdict.”

The trial has now adjorned for Monday and will restart on Wednesday: below is clippings from Monday’s media coverage

8.10am: John Hogan has pleaded not guilty to murder telling the court he “did not plan to kill”.

8.30am: From BBC News [link]

In a statement read out by a police officer outside court, Mrs Hogan said the past few months had been “trying” and added: “I feel that I am able in that respect to speak for both sides of the family.”

She said: “I am able to say that Mia is much better now and has made a full recovery from the injuries sustained that day. She is in regular contact with John’s side of the family and enjoys a loving and caring relationship.”

Natasha features on Tonight with Trevor McDonald on ITV1 on Monday evening.

9.15am: BBC News [link]

The hearing, involving a panel of three judges and a jury, is likely to last several days. The jury has been warned of delays, however.

9.15am: The Daily Telegraph [link]

Asked if he had any message for his former wife, Natasha, Hogan cried and said: “Tell her I love.” He added: “Tell my daughter I’m sorry”.

10.00am: BBC News [link]

Natasha Hogan: “I am able to say that Mia is much better now and has made a full recovery from the injuries sustained that day. She is in regular contact with John’s side of the family and enjoys a loving and caring relationship.”

11.00am: BBC News [link]

Mrs Hogan said that on the day of the incident her husband had become increasingly angry and agitated. She said the couple had been packing to go home early and she had had her back to Mr Hogan.

14.10pm: Sky News (includes video) [link]

For the 20 or so British journalists covering the case, the atmosphere was confused and chaotic, as proceedings went ahead in Greek.

14.30pm: Bristol Evening Post [link]

Prof Nestoros, who conducted a series of interviews with Hogan, added: “He did not even remember he was on the fourth floor – this man was not in a clear state of mind.”

Some links out to previews of the trial of Bradley Stoke man John Hogan’s trial which starts on Monday:

The Times: [link]

It was an act that defied the natural instincts of any normal parent. Nearly 18 months ago John Hogan leapt 50ft from his fourth floor hotel balcony in Crete clutching his two young children.

Press Association: [link]

A British father accused of murdering his six-year-old son when he jumped off a hotel balcony was being taken back to the Greek island where it happened to face trial.

The Daily Mail: [link]

A devastated mother is preparing to relive the moment her son died after her husband leapt from a hotel balcony clutching the six-year-old.

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