Stab victim's body to return

The body of a West Midland man murdered in Spain almost two years ago looks set to be flown back to his family next week, it has been revealed.

Danny Hastelow was stabbed to death the day after his 26th birthday while living in Magaluf in January of last year. His family were unable to have his body returned to the Black Country after his death because he did not have insurance. They have been busy fundraising ever since for the £10,000 needed to fly him home to Walsall Wood.

Danny's sister Claire Peters has been told his body should be on a flight back to England next Friday after it has been exhumed on Tuesday.

She said: "That is the date I have been given so I just hope everything runs smoothly and if it does he should be back in England by next weekend."

However, the family still faces a longer wait until he can be buried.

Miss Peters said: "We have been told there might have to be an inquest here so we still can't start making funeral arrangements.

"We don't want any more messing around. We have waited long enough but apparently there is still a lot of legal paperwork to be done before we can start planning for the funeral.

"I am still hopeful we will be able to have a funeral some time next month."

Richard Roberts, aged 36, from Liverpool, was convicted of murdering Daniel Hastelow and sentenced to 18 years at the court in Palma, Majorca's major city.

Another Liverpool man, Paul Anthony Griffiths, 23, was acquitted of the murder.

Judge Eduardo Calderon Susin, sentencing, also ordered Roberts to pay 90,000 euros, about £82,523, in damages to Mr Hastelow's parents and a quarter of the legal costs.

However, Miss Peters told the Express & Star last week that she does not think the family will see any of the money.