IPSWICH: Grieving loved ones of Sarah Shields say they are one step closer to bringing her home with her boyfriend today expected to be handed over to Spanish detectives.

Christopher Chittock, of Alnesbourn Crescent, Ipswich, was due to be transferred to the custody of the Spanish authorities at an English airport today after a European Arrest Warrant was executed.

The 36-year-old will be flown to Spain where he will be quizzed over the death of his 23-year-old girlfriend while the couple were on holiday in Gran Canaria. If charges are to follow Chittock will face trial in Spain.

Sarah’s body was discovered in the sea off the southern coast of the holiday island on July 7.

Just four days later Chittock returned to the UK alone.

At the time Chittock was charged by Suffolk police with perverting the course of justice and the dad-of-one was on bail for his girlfriends murder until yesterday.

Today, Spain Sarah’s parents, Angela and David Shields, of Ramsgate Drive, said they are a step closer to being able to bring their daughter’s body home and lay her to rest. Once Chittock has arrived in Spain and his defence team have had the chance to carry out their own post mortem, Sarah’s body should be freed by the Spanish authorities, allowing her family to repatriate her.

Mrs Shields said: “I know it won’t bring her back, but it will bring her home to us.

“I am glad it is all happening now, we are a step nearer to bringing her home.”

Sarah’s older brother, Paul Davis, added: “It has been a living hell for us.

“It is hard to put it into words. We feel in limbo, it is difficult to concentrate on work, life, everything.

“Having him extradited brings us one stage closer to being able to bring her home, lay her to rest and grieve for her.

“It hasn’t really sunk in properly yet.

“Maybe when we can have her funeral and say our goodbyes, maybe then it will feel real.”