A HUSBAND whose wife died on a Greek holiday island three years ago will not face criminal charges in this country.

Derek Allen has been released from police bail after it was decided no prosecution would be brought against him over the death of his wife Janine Allen, 22, in a hotel bedroom a day after they flew to the Lithakia Beach apartments in Zante.

Mr Allen has always maintained he had nothing to do with his wife's death in May 1995.

He claimed Janine suffered a fit and he carried her a mile back to their hotel where she was later discovered dead in bed.

Acting Detective Inspector Joe Kellett, who led the British part of the investigation, said: "Following consultations between the police, the Crown Prosecution Service and a QC it was felt that on the facts in our possession at this stage that no prosecution would be taken in this country in respect of Mr Allen for the death of his wife." Mr Allen, 27, still faces a charge of causing mortal injury by neglect, equivalent to manslaughter in this country, by the Greek authorities. In April 1997 the High Court in Athens issued a warrant for his arrest after he failed to appear before the court.

Mr Allen was questioned by Greek police and charged in connection with Janine's death but was granted bail and allowed to return to England after paying a surety of £3,000.

He stayed with Janine's mother Dorothy and her stepfather Barry Ricketts at the Rock Hotel, Trawden, where Janine worked as a barmaid.

He later returned to the marital home in Hawley Street, Colne, and then moved to an unknown address in Nelson.

Mr Allen was arrested by Lancashire police last December and granted bail.

He was never charged with any offence in this country.

At least four post-mortem examinations were carried out on Janine's body.

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