Mother faces bomb death accused

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The mother of a woman killed in a terrorist bombing in Turkey is preparing to face the man accused of carrying out the attack.

Helyn Bennett, 21, from Spennymoor in County Durham, was one of five people who died when a bomb exploded on a bus in the resort of Kusadasi in 2005.

Her mother Sharon Holden is flying to Izmir to attend the trial of the accused, known only as MSF.

She said she was "haunted by dread", but was determined to see justice done.

Tara Whelan, 17, of the Irish Republic, and three Turkish nationals were also killed in the blast.

Boat trip

Ms Bennett's fiance, Stephen Stables, 23, her brother Adam, 16, cousin Sam Punshon, 14, aunt Toni Punshon and Ms Punshon's partner Michael Aspinall, were injured.

Her parents had taken a boat trip to Greece instead of joining the rest of the party.

Helyn Bennett's parents escaped the blast because they were on a boat trip

The accused man was arrested on suspicion of murder, and is also suspected of belonging to the rebel PKK organisation, known as the Kurdistan Workers' Party, and conspiracy to commit further terrorist acts on the Turkish mainland.

Mrs Holden said: "Even though it has been four years, it is still so raw. It feels like yesterday. It won't bring closure, but we will have justice."

She added: "It was an absolutely terrible time. All the family were injured, and Helyn had died. I want to see the site where it happened.

"I need to see it, and I need to put down some flowers for Helyn and the other people who were killed and injured."

The trial is due to begin on 30 June.