A mum whose son was left brain damaged after thugs brutally attacked him in Greece has welcomed a Government pledge to back European arrest warrants.

Maggie Hughes' son Robbie was beaten and left for dead by a group of British holidaymakers while on holiday in Malia in 2008.

The four men who attacked him have since been jailed but only after a European arrest warrant was issued, giving the Greek government the power to bring them back to the country for trial.

The Government plans to opt out of all 133 measures set out in the Lisbon treaty, which brought in European arrest warrants.

But Home Secretary Theresa May wants to opt back into 35 of the measures, including the warrant.

Wallington woman Mrs Hughes, who has campaigned for justice for her son and others who face similar situations, has welcomed the Home Secretary's stance.

She said: "When I heard the Government might be opting out I was in shock so I'm pleased to hear it's looking like they won't get out of it.

"This was a vital tool in my son's case and it's something we need to hang on to.

"This is good news for victims of crime because it means there will still be the opportunity to get suspects back to the scenes of the crime.

"The British passport guarantees protection when you are abroad but not enough is done to protect the victims of crime."

It took until last year for the four men who beat Mr Hughes up outside a nightclub to face trial.

They were found guilty and jailed for four years in November.

Initially the men, all from Horley in Surrey, refused a call to come back to Greece to help police but a European arrest warrant meant they had to.

Your Local Guardian: Robbie Hughes in a coma after the attack in Malia, Crete last year

Robbie Hughes in a coma after the attack in Malia in 2008

The Conservatives want to cut ties with Europe and the plans opt out of the Lisbon Treaty is part of that. However, the Home Secretary says plans to back European arrest warrants are in the country's "best interests". She has said they would need to be scaled back not to include minor crimes.

Tory backbenchers have criticised Mrs May's plans and shouted "shame" when she announced them in Parliament this week.