CYPRUS: Man pleads not guilty to hit-and-run death of British tourist

A 35-year-old man on trial for the hit-and-run death of a British tourist in Peyia pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to the charge of premeditated murder.

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The accused appeared before the criminal court in Paphos where he pleaded not guilty to the charge of premeditated murder of British tourist Robert Birch, 39 and the attempted murder of a second Briton aged 32.

The hearing will commence on January 29, 2019, and the court ruled the defendant – who can’t be named for legal reasons – will remain in custody until that time.

Birch from Wales, 39, was found dead at the scene on June 24 after police responded to reports of an incident in the south-western coastal resort of Peyia at around 2:30 am (1130 GMT).

Police said a 32-year-old British man – walking with Birch – was also hit by the car and needed hospital treatment for serious injuries.

After abandoning the scene, the accused’s car was later found by police after being driven into the sea.

Police arrested the man and a woman in connection to the Briton's death.

Birch was on holiday with his family when he was allegedly deliberately hit by a vehicle in the street.

The woman, 23, was later released by police who said there was no incriminating evidence found against her.

Reportedly, she will be a key prosecution witness during the murder trial.

According to local media reports, the accused and the tourists were involved in an argument at a pub in Peyia earlier in the evening when the Britons are said to have stepped in when they saw the man arguing with his girlfriend.