British tourist set alight denies harassment claims

A BRITISH tourist allegedly set on fire by a Greek woman who accused him of sexually harassing her during a night out insisted he did nothing to provoke the attack.

Stuart Feltham, of Swindon, Wiltshire, was due to testify against 26-year-old student Marina Fanouraki, who is accused of throwing sambuca on him and lighting it in a bar on Crete.

But the 20-year-old plumber flew home on Sunday night because he feared vigilante-style reprisals, according to his father Ian.

Fanouraki was charged last week after turning herself in to police in the resort of Malia.

She admits pouring the drink over Feltham, claiming she did so after he made inappropriate advances to her. But she denies setting fire to him.

The story has made national headlines in Greece, where some have hailed her as a heroine who took a stand against rowdy British holidaymakers.

In an interview with The Sun, Feltham said: “I am completely innocent — I did nothing to provoke her. I had nothing to do with her at all. It came completely out of the blue.

“Stories about me showing my privates or pestering her are complete fiction.

“All the Greeks are trying to do is protect their tourism industry by claiming it was my fault. Tens of thousands of Brits go out there for their holidays and it could have happened to anyone.”

Feltham, who suffered second-degree burns to his chest and stomach, claims Fanouraki threw an inflammable liquid over him and set it alight.

The trial in the town of Iraklion in northern Crete was adjourned until August 17.