A British tourist who leapt from a hotel balcony in Crete earlier this month with his two children - killing one and injuring the other - was charged with murder and attempted murder yesterday.

John Hogan, who according to his lawyer comes from a family with a history of mental illness, appeared before a prosecutor in the town of Neapoli 15 days after he tumbled some 15 meters from the fourth-floor balcony of his hotel in a Ierapetra resort. Hogan had been staying there with his 34-year-old wife Natasha and his two children.

His 6-year-old son, Liam, died in the fall but his 2-year-old daughter, Mia, survived, suffering a broken arm.

Hogan suffered leg, arm and chest injuries and had to be taken to court in an ambulance. Court sources said that he expressed remorse and wept throughout his hearing.

His lawyer said both of Hogan’s brothers had committed suicide, a sign that mental problems likely run in the family. One brother had jumped from a bridge in Bristol, England, and the other overdosed on medication.

Hogan had been taking anti-depressant pills until a few months ago, when he stopped using them because they made him ill, Sky News reported.

The prosecutor ordered Hogan to undergo psychiatric examination at the University Hospital in Iraklion to determine his mental state.

If found guilty, the accused could face up to 25 years in prison but his trial is not expected to take place until next year.

Hogan’s mother and sister are in Crete but his wife returned to England following the death of the couple’s son.

Liam was buried near Bristol on Tuesday.