Grocer killing trial set to begin

THE trial of the man accused of murdering North Hobart shopkeeper Voula Delios, 68, in July two years ago is expected to start this week.

Daryl Royston Wayne Cook, 36, of Claremont, has pleaded not guilty to murder.

Mr Cook is accused of stabbing Mrs Delios to death during an armed robbery at her Elizabeth St grocery store on July 23.

Mr Cook appeared by video link from prison in the Supreme Court in Hobart yesterday.

Justice Helen Wood re- manded Mr Cook in custody and directed him to reappear in court on Thursday.

It is expected his trial will start on Thursday or Friday.

Mrs Delios operated the North Hobart Grocer for more than 30 years with members of her family, and fellow retailers described her as a North Hobart “institution”.

She was known for her baklava and other Greek dishes sold at the store.

Hundreds packed the St George Greek Orthodox Church for her funeral on July 30, 2016.

Mrs Delios’s shop has been closed since her death, but is set to re-open this year as a boutique bottleshop.

Melbourne-based wine specialists Blackhearts and Sparrows have leased the store to open its first Tasmanian venture.

Renovation work has started the bottleshop is expected to open in late spring or early summer.

Blackhearts and Sparrows’ brother and sister team Paul and Jessica Ghai have said they would consider an instore tribute to Mrs Delios.