A 26-year-old Greek woman from the island of Crete has become something of a national heroine after setting fire to an English man she claims was harassing her and generally behaving in an offensive manner.
According to the
Daily Mail Marina Fanouraki handed herself in to police after the incident, which occurred in the Electra Bar in the Cretan resort of Malia, claiming that the action she took was in self-defense.
Ms Fanouraki will appear before a magistrate today when it will be decided if she is to be charged with causing bodily harm to 20-year-old Stuart Feltham from Swindon and endangering private property, .
Despite reports in the media that the woman set fire to Mr Feltham's genitals, she has alleged that part of his offensive behavior was pulling his trousers down in front of her, the British Foreign Office confirmed the details of the actual injuries that he suffered when they released the following statement:
We can confirm that in the early hours of Tuesday a British male national was assaulted in Crete. We understand he suffered burns on his chest and abdomen. He has been receiving consular assistance
Mr Feltham is being treated for second degree burns, sustained when some Sambuca liqueur was poured over him and ignited, in a private clinic in Crete's capital Heraklion. The
Daily Telegraph reports that a "discreet" police guard is being maintained at the clinic.
It is said that when police led Ms Fanouraki away from the Electra Bar, the assembled crowd began applauding her, shouting "Bravo, Bravo". The Greek media has apparently reported that she was "forcefully fondled" by Mr Feltham and she has become known as the "Cretan heroine" for her response to that alleged fondling.
Back in England Ian Feltham, father of Stuart, confirmed that his son's injuries were indeed confined to his chest and abdomen and then went on to deny that his son was guilty of any sexual harassment. He gave the following account of what happened on the last night of his son's 2-week holiday:
Stuart swears blind that he's never met or seen her. He's not the kind of lad who gets himself in trouble - he's a kindhearted, generous boy. I truly think it was a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. He said some girl just came up to him and threw some party trick fuel over him, then set him alight. We received the phone call at 3am from one of his mates, and it was very worrying. He said: "There's been an incident", and his words were "He's been torched". It was a terrible, horrible attack. Stuart said he was chatting to some guy sitting on a bar stool, and was just walking out when she just ran up to him and did this. He was burned from his neck to his bellybutton, and his hair's been singed. He's fine now, and we've spoken to him. The doctors say he's progressing well, and he's in good spirits
Whatever the truth may be regarding this incident it highlights once again the frequent problems that have occurred involving young British holidaymakers in European resorts. Countries such as Greece, Spain and Portugal have borne the brunt of those problems, prompting British officials in those countries to consult with tour operators and local officials in an attempt to reduce the predominantly alcohol-related crime that has been taking place.
George Papadakis is the news director of Crete's main TV station, Kriti TV, and he explained the reaction to the incident from the people who have contacted his organization:
We have received many calls from the public which on the one hand demonstrate that the great majority of British tourists are well behaved and most welcome. But on the other hand there is obvious hostility towards its troublemakers, and support for the Cretan girl because they feel that she reacted in defence of her honour
