The family of Carl Davies whose body was found on Reunion Island five years ago today have been told those charged with his murder are to go on trial in June next year.

In 2011, the 33-year-old former Sittingbourne teacher was thought to have tragically fallen into a ravine but a week later it was revealed he had been murdered.

Since then his family, who were from Harrietsham but now live in Scotland, have been left with countless unanswered questions but have never given up hope of securing justice for Carl, who taught at Sittingbourne Community College and the Isle of Sheppey Academy.

His sister, Kerrie Stewart, said they had heard the trial would be on June 21.

“There were three men charged with murder but we do not know if all three are going to be on trial. They’re working hard to clarify that and we’re hoping for news soon.

“It’s good to get the ball rolling. We’ve waited such a long time, so it’s nice to get a break-through.”

Kerrie said the family planned to make the trip to the French-administered Indian Ocean island for the trial.

“We’ve never been out there. We never wanted to be in this position.

“I need to go, I need to get closure, I need to see where my brother took his last steps.

“I have images in my head that I want to get rid of and you can Google all you like but you’ve never seen it until you’ve been there.”

On attending the trial and seeing those charged with Carl’s murder, she added: “I want to look them in the eye and ask ‘Why?’ Hopefully we will get that chance in June.”

This June, the family were devastated when they heard two of the three men charged would not face trial after being released due to lack of evidence.

Carl’s dad, Andy, added: “We can’t say too much at this stage because the case is pending and we don’t want to mess it up.

“We’re definitely going out there for the trial. We haven’t taken our foot off the pedal all this time and haven’t given up hope.

“We’ve got a date to focus on now and that’s what we’re looking to.”