Family of Castleford woman Chelsea Hyndman ‘relived the nightmare’ during trial

Walker, 25, of the West Midland, had originally been charged with 20-year-old Chelsea’s murder after she died of severe internal injuries on the Greek holiday island of Crete in May 2010.

But during a two-day trial this week at Heraklion Mixed Criminal Court, the charge was downgraded to GBH leading Chelsea’s death.

Walker was found guilty of that charge on Wednesday and given an eight-year suspended prison sentence, which his legal team have appealed against.

Chelsea’s mother Heather Hyndman and her partner Neil Lorriman, said in a statement: “In 2010 we lost Chelsea, and nothing that happened here in Crete this week was ever going to change that or ease that pain.

“Since that time we have sought the truth and have always said we wanted to wait until we had seen all the evidence of the case before we would draw our own conclusions.

“We finally heard all the facts from both sides and much of this was very difficult to hear for us, we have relived the nightmare over the last two days, as we’re sure have the other family and friends of both Chelsea and Luke.

“Yesterday’s (Wednesday’s) verdict was no cause for us to celebrate, another young life has been affected but we believe the decision was the correct one in light of the evidence we saw in court.

“We would like to take this opportunity the thank our family and friends for their valuable support over the last three years who have given us the strength to continue in the dark times.”

Walker has been told he can return to England if he pays a 10,000 euro (£8.552) bail surety.