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Hotel leap man cleared of murder Hotel leap man cleared of murder
(10 minutes later)
A British man who leapt 50ft (15m) from a hotel balcony with his two children in Crete has been cleared of murder.A British man who leapt 50ft (15m) from a hotel balcony with his two children in Crete has been cleared of murder.
John Hogan, 33, from Bradley Stoke, near Bristol, was "incapable" of murdering his son because of his mental state, a Greek court has ruled.John Hogan, 33, from Bradley Stoke, near Bristol, was "incapable" of murdering his son because of his mental state, a Greek court has ruled.
He will now be placed in a psychiatric unit for a minimum of three years.He will now be placed in a psychiatric unit for a minimum of three years.
Mr Hogan's son Liam, six, died from head injuries. His daughter Mia, then aged two, broke her arm but survived the fall, in August 2006.Mr Hogan's son Liam, six, died from head injuries. His daughter Mia, then aged two, broke her arm but survived the fall, in August 2006.
Couple rowedCouple rowed
President Paraskeri Kiraleou, the senior judge at the trial, said: "His responsibility was diminished.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.""He was incapable of murdering his son and he needs to be in a psychiatric unit for therapy."
Mr Hogan, his then wife Natasha, 35, and their children, had gone on holiday to the 227-bed four-star Petra Mare hotel, which overlooks the beach of Ierapetra, CreteMr Hogan, his then wife Natasha, 35, and their children, had gone on holiday to the 227-bed four-star Petra Mare hotel, which overlooks the beach of Ierapetra, Crete
I accept that an act in a moment of complete madness was uncharacteristic of John. But to have done this to our children is unforgivable Natasha HoganI accept that an act in a moment of complete madness was uncharacteristic of John. But to have done this to our children is unforgivable Natasha Hogan
The holiday was a "make or break" effort to resolve differences in the couple's marriage.The holiday was a "make or break" effort to resolve differences in the couple's marriage.
However, the court in Crete, which comprised three judges and four jurors, was told the summer break had been plagued by rows.However, the court in Crete, which comprised three judges and four jurors, was told the summer break had been plagued by rows.
On the night of Liam's death, Mrs Hogan described her husband as "agitated" and had asked him to "calm down" but he had become increasingly angry.On the night of Liam's death, Mrs Hogan described her husband as "agitated" and had asked him to "calm down" but he had become increasingly angry.
They argued as she packed their suitcases with her back turned to the balcony. When she turned around he had disappeared over the edge with their children.They argued as she packed their suitcases with her back turned to the balcony. When she turned around he had disappeared over the edge with their children.
The court heard Mr Hogan's family had suffered several tragedies, including the suicides of his two brothers.The court heard Mr Hogan's family had suffered several tragedies, including the suicides of his two brothers.
Mr Hogan was now taking anti-depressants and had tried to kill himself on four occasions while in prison.Mr Hogan was now taking anti-depressants and had tried to kill himself on four occasions while in prison.
Hotel fall father's depressionHotel fall father's depression
Tiling firm boss Mr Hogan, who was crying as the verdict was delivered, said nothing as he was led from court by two police officers.Tiling firm boss Mr Hogan, who was crying as the verdict was delivered, said nothing as he was led from court by two police officers.
Mrs Hogan sobbed into her hands on hearing the verdict.Mrs Hogan sobbed into her hands on hearing the verdict.
In a statement following the verdict, Mrs Hogan said: "This result albeit somewhat unexpected, has left me feeling that Liam lost his young life for nothing. In a statement read by PC Russ Jones, from Avon and Somerset Police, following the verdict, Mrs Hogan said: "This result albeit somewhat unexpected, has left me feeling that Liam lost his young life for nothing.
"I accept that an act in a moment of complete madness was uncharacteristic of John. But to have done this to our children is unforgivable."I accept that an act in a moment of complete madness was uncharacteristic of John. But to have done this to our children is unforgivable.
'Rebuild our lives''Rebuild our lives'
"I know that we all miss Liam, but it is Mia and I who are left to rebuild our lives without a loving caring son and brother.""I know that we all miss Liam, but it is Mia and I who are left to rebuild our lives without a loving caring son and brother."
The statement also said that the family has found it difficult to hear the circumstances of Liam's death again.The statement also said that the family has found it difficult to hear the circumstances of Liam's death again.
It added: "John is no longer my husband and plans are afoot to rebuild our lives away from the media support.It added: "John is no longer my husband and plans are afoot to rebuild our lives away from the media support.
"You have all heard our lives laid bare during the court process. I ask now that you allow us time to reflect, to rebuild our lives with dignity showing due reverence to my son Liam.""You have all heard our lives laid bare during the court process. I ask now that you allow us time to reflect, to rebuild our lives with dignity showing due reverence to my son Liam."