A Norwich woman has seen her father suffer a major setback in a trial over accusations that he murdered her terminally ill mother.

David Hunter, 75, is accused by prosecutors in Cyprus of premeditated murder after a plea deal on the lesser charge of manslaughter collapsed.

Eastern Daily Press: The court has ruled a confession by David Hunter was obtained lawfully and can be used in evidence against himThe court has ruled a confession by David Hunter was obtained lawfully and can be used in evidence against him (Image: PA)

His wife Janice, 74, died of asphyxiation at the couple’s retirement home near the coastal resort town of Paphos in December 2021.

A court has now ruled that the confession of the retired Northumberland coal miner was obtained lawfully and can be used in evidence against him.

Mr Hunter's daughter Lesley Cawthorne, 49, who lives in Norwich, has supported her father saying her mother had been terminally ill with blood cancer and in “terrible pain and suffering”.

Eastern Daily Press: Lesley with her parents David and Janice HunteLesley with her parents David and Janice Hunte (Image: Family handout)

His defence team has said Hunter was acting on the wishes of his wife.

They argued that his confession should be inadmissible claiming he was not provided with legal advice before statements were taken.

“He did not have a lawyer present and we would argue he did not understand his rights," said Miss Cawthorne.

Eastern Daily Press: The house in Tremithousa, Cyprus where Janice Hunter was killed by her husband DavidThe house in Tremithousa, Cyprus where Janice Hunter was killed by her husband David (Image: PA)

She has launched a fundraising drive to pay legal costs and has said she fears he will die behind bars as he faces the prospect of life imprisonment.

The defence had called expert evidence saying he was suffering from dissociation, a type of disorder.

But on Tuesday, a judge at Paphos District Court dismissed the defence’s application and also found he was lucid at the time and aware of what was happening.

Eastern Daily Press: Michael Polak, the lawyer for British pensioner David Hunter, talks to the media outside Paphos Assize Court in CyprusMichael Polak, the lawyer for British pensioner David Hunter, talks to the media outside Paphos Assize Court in Cyprus (Image: PA)

Michael Polak, of Justice Abroad, the group representing Hunter, said he was “shocked and dejected” at the decision.

“We called a forensic psychiatrist to give evidence and his evidence was totally rejected by the court,” Mr Polak said.

The court has previously seen a video of Miss Cawthorne pleading with her father not to kill himself following his arrest.  

The trial continues.