LUKE Walker has spoken of his heartbreak and disappointment at failing to overturn his conviction for killing his girlfriend in Crete after a five-year legal battle which has cost his family over £300,000.

The 27-year-old from Brierley Hill had hoped to clear his name after he was found guilty in 2013 of causing grievous bodily harm leading to the death of 20-year-old Chelsea Hyndman while the couple were living and working on the Greek holiday isle in 2010.

An eight-year jail sentence meted out was suspended after he lodged an appeal, which was finally heard at the Mixed Criminal Court in Heraklion, but Walker's protestations of innocence fell on deaf ears and he was unable to overturn the conviction.

His sentence was, however, slashed to three-years imprisonment - suspended for three years.

Luke's lawyer Georgios Pyromallis said it was "uncommon" for a sentence to be reduced in this way for such a serious crime.

But Luke told the News this week: “It isn’t the result I wanted. It was really disappointing.

"I’m innocent; I wanted acquittal. I’m glad to have closure on it for my family after all the stress it's put on us over the years but it’s still heartbreaking to be found guilty."

Luke's dad Patrick Walker, aged 58, who has always maintained his son was innocent, said: "We're relieved it's over but disappointed with the result. I thought we'd put a good enough case together for him to be acquitted. I thought the case was very strong."

Former barman Luke, who is now working for his dad's firm Walker Electrics, was originally charged with murder after Chelsea from Yorkshire died from ruptured internal organs on May17 2010 and he spent 150 days in a Greek jail before being released on bail but the charge was later reduced to GBH leading to death.

Mr Walker added: "From charging him with the highest crime in the land to reducing it to a three-year suspended sentence for GBH - tells me they probably weren't convinced themselves.

"If they were sure I don't think he would have walked away with a suspended sentence."

"But it's over now. We won't have to go back to Greece again - that's a great relief. We've just got to get on with our lives."

Luke's parents Patrick and Lindy have spent almost five years campaigning to clear their son's name - wracking up huge legal bills and costs which rocketed over £300,000 and forced them to sell their family home in Gayfield Avenue.

Luke, who has now moved to Birmingham, said: "The support I've been given over the last five years has been unbelievable. Everyone has stood by the truth. It's closure after five long years. I've got to try and move forward with my life."

Chelsea's heartbroken mum Heather Hyndman, aged 50, said, however, she will have to suffer the loss of her "bubbly, outgoing" daughter for the rest of her days and she added: "I can put the court case behind me but I just can't come to terms with how he can be allowed to carry on with life as normal.

"I just can't think of any explanation as to why he didn't go to prison. He’s been found guilty twice by different judges and jurors. She deserves justice but hasn't had it and I've got to suffer for the rest of my life.

"I just can’t get my head around it but there’s nothing I can do about it and nothing’s going to bring her back."