The family of a British backpacker killed in India have spoken of their struggle as a Dutchman accused of murdering her faced his 88th court hearing.

Richard de Wit is accused of killing 24-year-old Sarah Groves, who was stabbed more than 40 times while she slept on a houseboat in Kashmir in April 2013.

Almost four years on, De Wit has yet to stand trial, and Groves’ family learned that the latest hearing at the district court in Srinagar on Thursday was adjourned until 1 March.

Groves’ parents, Victor and Kate, are desperate for help to progress the case, and have repeatedly called on the British government to apply diplomatic pressure.

They have also been tormented by the disclosure that De Wit holds a mystery “secret” about their daughter’s death, but is only willing to share it with them.

The couple are willing to travel to India to hear the apparent revelation but first want an assurance about the veracity of his claim.

Kate Groves, from Guernsey, said: “We’re tearing our hair out about whether there is any substance to what he is claiming.

“We only want some form of confirmation that what he is claiming is not going to lead us on a wild goose chase because it is a horrible and costly journey.

“But we are struggling to get any kind of cooperation from any quarter. I have my head in my hands at the moment.”

The family said in a statement that the public prosecutor agreed following the latest hearing that De Wit could apply for the court to allow him to speak to them by telephone.

The family also said a major reason for the case stalling is De Wit’s lack of legal representation. Despite orders by the judge to resolve the matter, he remains without a lawyer as he “trusts no one”.