Daniel Hastelow has been buried in the wrong plot. Front from left: Mum Sue Hastelow and sister Claire Peters. back from left: family friends Leanne Wilson, Jenny Watton and Brian Hendron, and cousins Dave Gripton and Stacey Phillips

A vicar today apologised to two families after murder victim Danny Hastelow was buried in a grave reserved for another family.

The vicar of St John’s Church in Walsall Wood, the Rev Nigel Carter, spoke of his heartache after accepting responsibility for the blunder, and said that he is now seeking advice from the legal office of the Diocese of Lichfield to find a solution acceptable to both families.

The body of Mr Hastelow, stabbed to death in Magaluf, Majorca, was buried on Monday in a plot reserved by a local widow.

Today Rev Carter said: “I’m devastated by what has happened but that is nothing to what the two families involved are going through.

“It was my responsibility to mark the plot up with a cross and a name for the gravediggers but I wasn’t taking the funeral and I forgot to do it. It was my fault.

“The gravediggers simply went to the next grave along which sadly was the plot reserved for the Best family. I found out on Thursday and have been speaking to the Diocese Registry about how to resolve the situation.

“I went to see Mrs Hastelow’s sister yesterday morning and I have also spoken to Mrs Best and her daughter Jeanette. Both families are clearly very upset.” He said the ground at the Walsall Wood cemetery was not suitable for double graves so that couples who want to be buried together have to be lain side by side instead on top of each other.

He said the Best family went through the proper legal channels to obtain the plot. The church is now investigating whether the body, buried on Monday, will have to be exhumed. “Different possibilities are being explored at present to find a solution,” said Rev Carter.

The Rev Nigel Carter

Mr Hastelow, formerly of Bridgewater Close in Walsall Wood, had left Walsall to pursue his dream of working in Spain.

The 26-year-old was murdered in his sleep by Richard Roberts, 36, from Liverpool, who was convicted in September and sentenced to 18 years in prison.

Mr Hastelow’s family have spent the last two years raising the cash to bring his body home.

An inquest was opened at Smethwick Coroner’s Court on October 27 and adjourned.