Corfu deaths trial – latest update
Greek Courts have postponed the trial of two Thomas Cook holiday reps over the deaths of a brother and sister while on holiday in Corfu in 2006.
The trial of Richard Carson, 27, and Nicola Gibson, 25, was due to start today but has been delayed until next February or March after legal applications by the defendants.
Carson, who still works for Thomas Cook as consumer affairs executive, and Gibson, who left at the end of 2006, face charges of manslaughter and negligence.
Christi Shepherd, 7, and her brother Robert, 6, from West Yorkshire died from carbon monoxide poisoning after what is believed to have been a leak from a faulty gas boiler in their apartment at the Louis Corcyra Beach Hotel.
Ten Greeks, including staff from the hotel, also face trial.
The children’s father, Neil Shepherd, and his partner, Ruth Beatson, who survived the tragedy, have flown to Corfu for the trial, as have their mother Sharon Wood and her husband Paul.
Last week Thomas Cook pledged its continuing support for its staff.
“We are confident that our colleagues acted properly and should not be blamed in anyway. We continue to give them our full support and believe they will be vindicated by the court,†said a spokesperson for the operator.
By Bev Fearis
Bev
Editor in chief Bev Fearis has been a travel journalist for 25 years. She started her career at Travel Weekly, where she became deputy news editor, before joining Business Traveller as deputy editor and launching the magazine’s website. She has also written travel features, news and expert comment for the Guardian, Observer, Times, Telegraph, Boundless and other consumer titles and was named one of the top 50 UK travel journalists by the Press Gazette.
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