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Blackpool tycoon murder accused unfit to face court
A BRITISH businessman suspected of murdering his millionaire girlfriend, Blackpool tycoon Kinga Legg, remains unfit to face court, a court heard today.
A European arrest warrant was issued for Ian Griffin, 40, after the body of Ms Legg was found in a Paris hotel.
A hearing at City of Westminster magistrates' court, London, heard he remains in a prison hospital bed.
Ben Watson, for the French judicial authorities, said a psychiatrist would visit him on Monday and prepare a report.
He said: "Griffin did not attend court on June 10 as the Prison Service declared him unfit to travel to court.
"Since that occasion there has been no significant improvement to his condition and he remains on the hospital wing at HMP Wandsworth."
Colin Nott, for Griffin, said his client had a "history" of mental health issues. He said he would be opposing extradition.
Speaking about the psychiatrist, he said: "There is a history and he may have further investigations to make relating to that.
"I have spoken to him in some detail and he is confident he will have a report prepared in seven days.
"He is seeing him on Monday and appreciates the urgency."
District Judge Daphne Wickham remanded Griffin in custody and adjourned the case to 10am on July 10 at the same court.
Pole Ms Legg, 36, who was married to Blackpool Council's head of enterprise and employment a decade ago, died from internal bleeding in the bathroom of the couple's suite at the Hotel Le Bristol in Paris.
French police said her battered and bruised body was discovered by a maid. Griffin was arrested a week later in Cheshire.
Griffin refused to agree to being returned to France at a hearing earlier this month.
The businessman, who grew up in Warrington, Cheshire, ran tanning salons and gadget shops across north west England.
But he has suffered financial difficulties and was declared bankrupt three years ago.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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