Britons charged with manslaughter

Larnaca,(CNA) – Three Britons, held in connection with the death of a young Greek Cypriot last month and the serious injury of his friend, were charged with willful manslaughter and grievous bodily harm with intent and will appear before the Assize Court later September.

A fourth Briton who had pleaded guilty to lesser charges will be sentenced on Tuesday.

Julian Harrington, 39, Michael Binnington 21 and Luke Atkinson, 22, all from Essex in southeastern England appeared before Famagusta District Court on Monday at Paralimni in connection with the death of Christos Papiris, 17, from Akaki village in the Nicosia district on 18 August. The three will appear before the criminal court to convene in Larnaca on 28 September to respond to the charges.

The Police had said that the Britons who were driving a rented vehicle, had repeatedly hit the motorcycle driven by 18-year old Greek Cypriot Marios Demetriou, and Papiris.

The two youngsters were taken to Famagusta Hospital where Papiris was pronounced dead. His friend was seriously injured.

A fourth Briton, James Goodwill, 22, had pleaded guilty to two charges, carrying a knife and being an accessory in helping Harrington avoid police detention soon after the crash. The court ordered the case be examined and sentenced tomorrow, Tuesday.

Today’s hearing was attended by the relatives of the dead teenager who were carrying pictures while there was a strong police presence to avoid any clashes with the defendants.