A British father who is accused of murdering his son by jumping with him from a hotel balcony in Greece tried to commit suicide in prison today.

John Hogan was said by his lawyer to have broken a bottle and slashed his wrists before staff in the psychiatric wing of Athens' Korydallos prison had time to stop him.

His lawyer, Dimitris Xyritakis, said: "Mr Hogan is in prison in Korydallos, where he attempted suicide. He tried to cut his arms and had the tool to do it. He is now in the hospital in the prison, but was not successful in his suicide."

Mr Hogan, 32, appeared in a court in Greece this week charged with murdering his son Liam, 6, and was in a state of near collapse and was sobbing. Liam died after suffering massive head injuries in the fall, which happened two weeks ago in the seaside resort of Lerapetra.

He was remanded in custody, less than 24 hours after his son was laid to rest in Bristol, and now faces months awaiting trial at the high-security prison, which is home to some of Greece's most notorious criminals.

His trial is not expected to start until early next year.

He also jumped with Mia, his two-year-old daughter but she survived with a broken arm. Mr Hogan suffered a broken arm, leg and chest injuries after jumping from the fourth floor balcony of the Petra Mare Hotel in the popular resort of Lerapetra.

The family had been on a two-week holiday when the tragedy happened.

A doctor who treated him after his suicide attempt told the Evening Standard: "He grabbed the glass, broke it and slashed his wrists so quickly that no one had time to react."

He was taken to hospital where he received stitches to both arms and is said to be out of danger.

Mr Xyritakis said he was angered that Hogan had been given the opportunity to make an attempt on his own life when he was supposed to be on suicide watch.

"I warned the prison that he would try this, but they didn’t accept my warning and it lead him to do such a thing. The guards must protect any prisoner from such a thing," he said.

"I’m very disappointed. I will be asking the minister of justice to punish everybody who has let him down."

The lawyer said he been informed of the incident by a clerk at the prison and had not had the chance to speak to his client

Explore UK News

• Science News

• Crime News

• Education News

• Health News

• Scotland News

Times Recommends

• Savers left in limbo as Icesave freezes deposits
• Kennel Club changes breeding rules
• Passengers triple risk of fatal crashes