Woman denies setting man on fire

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A Greek woman has appeared in court accused of setting fire to a British tourist in Crete after he allegedly groped her in a bar.

Stuart Feltham, 23, from Swindon, is recovering from second-degree chest and stomach burns in a private clinic.

Maria Fanoudaki, a 26-year-old student, said she poured a drink over Mr Feltham after he made inappropriate advances, but denied setting fire to him.

She faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison if she is convicted.

The trial in the town of Iraklion in northern Crete was adjourned until Monday.

'Absolute nonsense'

Ms Fanoudaki's lawyer Nikos Maniadakis said: "He fondled my client's breasts and buttocks and she poured her drink over him and left.

"Shortly afterward she heard cries and saw her friends trying to extinguish him."

The woman was charged with assault on Thursday after she turned herself in to police.

The story has made national headlines in Greece, where some have hailed the woman as a heroine.

Mr Feltham's parents have insisted reports their son sexually harassed the woman were "absolute nonsense".

Ian Feltham, 48, said his son was approached out of the blue by a complete stranger who threw accelerant over him.

Stuart Feltham was at a bar in the town of Malia at the end of a two-week holiday with five friends.

BBC