CYPRUS: Man pleads not guilty to altered charge of manslaughter in hit-and-run death of Briton

A 35-year-old man on trial for the hit-and-run death of a British tourist in the resort of Peyia, Paphos pleaded not guilty on Tuesday to a lesser charge of manslaughter, changed from premeditated murder.

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

Last September the accused pleaded not guilty to pre-meditated murder of the Briton, this has now been removed from the charge sheet and replaced with manslaughter.

The trial will now commence on March 12, 2019, and the court ruled the defendant – who can’t be named for legal reasons – will remain in custody until that time, reported the Cyprus News Agency.

Birch from Wales, 39, was found dead at the scene on June 24, 2018 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 Briton William Pritchard – 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.

State prosecution told the court that 43 witnesses will be called to testify during the trial.