The double murder charge against a Westcountry man accused of killing his parents in Crete, has been dropped.Greek police and prosecutors now have 30 days to appeal the decision regarding Ryan Johnson, 33.

Ryan Johnson's father Terry, 53, and mother Josephine, 54, from Newlyn, Cornwall, were found dead at the family villa in March 2006 at Almyrida in north-west Crete.

Ryan Johnson was arrested and charged shortly afterwards. He was released on bail and was unable to leave the island.

Terry Johnson had been stabbed in the neck three times and strangled. His wife had also been strangled. In both deaths, a washing line had been used.

Ryan Johnson had always denied the charges.

The decision was made on Wednesday by Greece's Counsel of Judges and had been expected for the past few months.

Prosecutors had decided to drop the charges because of a lack of evidence.

After Ryan Johnson's arrest in Crete it emerged that Devon and Cornwall Police were set to arrest and quiz him over "serious allegations" when he returned to the UK.

The allegations were understood to be of a sexual nature - which, when interviewed by the Western Morning News, Ryan Johnson said he knew nothing about.

Last night a spokesman for Devon and Cornwall Police said the Foreign Office had informed them that Ryan Johnson had been officially acquitted of the murders.

She said: "Since that tragic event officers from this force have been performing the role of support and liaison with family members in the UK. At present Devon and Cornwall Police are not investigating any allegations concerning Mr Ryan Johnson and do not seek to speak to him about any current investigation."

article copyright WESTERN MORNING NEWS 

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