Footballer still in dark over Greece attacker's trial date

Former Sutton United and Croydon Athletic footballer Robbie Hughes needed four lifesaving operations after the brutal attack outside a Greek nightclub in Malia in 2008.

Six British holidaymakers were charged with the attack, and all were extradited to Greece.

But all have now been allowed back to the UK on bail, with no date set for trial.

The final defendant Joseph Bruckland, of Hookwood, Surrey, was summoned by Greek authorities through a European arrest warrant on December 29 last year.

Mr Hughes, who is set to play for England at this summer’s Paralympic Games, and his family, had hoped it was the signal the Greek courts would now move forward to trial.

But Mr Bruckland was allowed back to the UK after being given bail two weeks ago.

The other defendants are also appealing the charges against them, which will further delay a trial.

Curtis Taylor, Daniel Bell, Sean Branton, all from Horley, Benjamin Herdman, from Worth, Sussex and George Hollands, from Reigate, Surrey, were extradited to Greece last year, but allowed back to the UK on bail pending Mr Bruckland’s extradition.

Mr Hughes’ mother Maggie said she had been frustrated by the lack of progress, and the fact the Greek authorities had failed to provide her with information about what was happening with the case.

Mrs Hughes will take her concerns to the EU in Brussels this week, after being invited to a Victim Support Europe summit, a network of 28 non-governmental victim support organisations in 22 European countries, which provide assistance and information to victims of crime.

She said: “It is wrong nearly four years have passed since the attack and the Greek authorities are still keeping us in the dark.

“I could not believe it when I was told to find out about what was happening to Joseph Bruckland in Greece, I would have to speak to his family.”

Mr Hughes, from Croydon, now suffers from a brain injury and severe memory loss because of the attack.