A BRITISH student who has been fighting a year-long battle against extradition has been told he will have to face trial for manslaughter in Greece.

Andrew Symeou, 20, maintains that the case against him is built on fabricated evidence.

He was told the news on Monday after the House of Lords refused to hear his case last Thursday.

On Thursday, a police escort will take him to Heathrow where he will be placed in the hands of the Greek police and could face up to 18 months in jail before a trial begins.

Mr Symeou denies the charges, that he caused the death of international roller hockey player Jonny Hiles while holidaying on the Greek Island of Zante in 2007.

Mr Hiles died the day before his 19th birthday after allegedly being punched off a nightclub podium.

Andrew’s father Frank said: “Andrew feels that he has to go now and he’s ready to go. There is nothing more we can do here now. He is putting on a brave face, as are we. Our worst scenario is that he is in prison or 18 months waiting a trial.”

He added: “His two friends who gave statements to police went to Zante and gave statements to the investigating judge telling her what had happened. Helen (Andrew’s mother) and I went over and were given the opportunity to give the evidence we have accumulated over the past year.

“We are hoping that the judge drops the charges, but it doesn’t seem likely so we will have to go through the Greek process. We feel let down by our Government.”

The family is being supported by fair trials international and Liberty as well as Joan Ryan MP.

Jago Russell, Chief Executive of Fair Trials International, said: “The case against Andrew Symeou is built on mistaken identity, conflicting evidence and a flawed police investigation. It is a tragedy that, despite this, the British courts have ordered this young man’s extradition to Greece where he could spend months in jail before his case is even heard by a court.”

Mr Hiles’ father Denzil has always said that he wanted Mr Symeou to go to Greece for trial.

He told the Independent: “We are not going to bring my boy back whatever we do. All I want is justice for him and for Andrew, and for Andrew to be tried in Greece where it happened."