A man from the Black Country accused of killing his girlfriend on the holiday island of Crete has been remanded in custody after learning he will face a murder trial.

Luke Walker, from Gayfield Avenue in Withymoor, Brierley Hill, was formally charged with the murder of 21-year-old Chelsea Hyndman yesterday. The private hearing was held in the Crete capital of Heraklion.

Walker, aged 22, was refused bail but his lawyers immediately vowed to appeal for his release.

George Koundourakis said: “He is in prison now but we are going to file an appeal for bail next week. It is too early to say when the trial will be.”Walker and seven witnesses were called into the courtroom one by one to give a summary of their evidence to the public prosecutor, who then ruled on whether to proceed to trial and the bail application.