Family ‘tearing hair out’ over claim made by accused killer of daughter
THE family of a British backpacker killed in India have spoken of their struggle as a Dutchman accused of murdering her faced his 88th court hearing.
Richard de Wit is accused of killing 24-year-old Sarah Groves, who was stabbed more than 40 times while she slept on a houseboat in Kashmir in 2013.
Four years on from her death, Mr de Wit has yet to stand trial, and Ms Groves’ family learned the 88th court hearing yesterday at the District Court in Srinagar was adjourned until March 1.
Ms Groves’ parents, Victor and Kate, are desperate for help to progress the case, and have repeatedly called on the UK Government to apply diplomatic pressure.
They have also been tormented by the disclosure that Mr de Wit holds a mystery “secret” about their daughter’s death, but is only willing to share it with them.
Mr and Mrs Groves are willing to travel to India to learn about his apparent revelation, but first want an assurance about the veracity of his claim.
Mrs Groves, from Guernsey, said: “We’re tearing our hair out about whether there is any substance to what he is claiming.
“We only want some form of confirmation that what he is claiming is not going to lead us on a wild goose chase.
“But we are struggling to get any kind of co-operation from any quarter. I have my head in my hands at the moment.”
The family said in a statement the public prosecutor agreed following the latest hearing that Mr de Wit can apply for the court to allow a telephone conversation to take place between them.
The family also said a major reason for the case stalling is de Mr Wit’s lack of legal representation. Despite orders by the judge to resolve the matter, he still remains without a lawyer as he “trusts no-one”.