Hotel death father will be freed

John Hogan was cleared of murder by a Greek court

A father who killed his six-year-old son by jumping with him from a hotel balcony in Crete is to be released from a psychiatric unit.

John Hogan, 34, of Bradley Stoke, near Bristol, was cleared of murdering Liam Hogan and in May the High Court quashed an inquest verdict of unlawful killing.

Liam's sister Mia received broken bones in the fall in August 2006.

A court in Athens ruled John Hogan was fit enough to fly to Britain and can leave as early as next week.

Mr Hogan's solicitor Kerstin Scheel told BBC News on Friday: "In theory he could return as soon as today."

Liam's family reacted angrily to the prospect of Mr Hogan's return to the UK.

He will be free to travel the world, if he chooses, in search of the daughter he tried to kill Brian Chandler

Brian Chandler, the stepfather of Liam's mother Natasha Visser, said: "The prospect of John Hogan returning after just 16 months of a recommended minimum - by a very lenient Greek Court - of three years detention in a psychiatric unit is simply horrendous.

"He will, if current press is correct, return, having pushed two children off a fourth floor balcony, as a completely free man.

"As he has no conviction of any kind against him, he will therefore be free to travel the world, if he chooses, in search of Mia, the daughter he tried to kill."

After the original trial Mrs Visser, who has remarried and now lives in Australia, said she had "lost her son for nothing".

Liam Hogan died and his sister was badly injured in the fall

According to reports, Mr Hogan jumped with joy and embraced his mother and sister when he heard that he would be released.

Both women have been campaigning to Greek authorities to let him seek treatment in the UK.

The judge at his trial in January 2008 said his responsibility was diminished.

His psychiatrist said his actions were caused by an "earthquake" of psychosis.

A Foreign Office spokesman confirmed a request for the release of John Hogan had been agreed by the Greek court and that the court order was then agreed by the prosecution.

The Crown Prosecution Service maintained that no action would be taken against Mr Hogan in Britain "if and when he returns".

Mr Hogan has been trying for a year to get back to Britain but two previous appeals to magistrates in Athens were rejected.

However, the court ruled he had made sufficient psychiatric progress over the past six months and would be allowed to return home.