Appeal into teens death: more delay for family
Robert Sebbage, aged 18, the son of Andy and Rhian Sebbage, of Weyhill Close, was fatally stabbed by 22-year-old Stelios Morfis while on holiday in Laganas, in Zante, Greece, in July 2011.
The family appealed the decision of the first trial in Greece in September 2012, when Morfis was found guilty of the unintentional manslaughter of Robert Sebbage, for which he was given six years, and four counts of causing life-threatening bodily injuries to four of Robert’s friends, fellow former pupils of The Hurst Community College, Jordan Manson, Steven Granston, Callum Lane and Sam Champion, for which he was given two years for each act.
Speaking to the Newbury Weekly News on Monday (June 16), Mrs Sebbage said the appeal had been adjourned until July 1, a legal process she described as a tactical “game of chess.”
The family, she continued, had completely run out of funds for flights and travel costs and the defendant’s lawyers were aiming for further adjournments, until the family and Roberts friends, who have been summoned as witnesses - would be forced to abandon the appeal, due to lack of funds.
“The lawyers know if we are not there, a statement will be read out in court instead, which will not have the same impact,” said Mrs Sebbage, who continued: “We have just run out of money and are trying to find anyone who can help - for example with airline miles to spare.”
Two further years were added on to the sentence, one for carrying an offensive weapon and one for using it, resulting in a total sentence of 16 years of imprisonment – reduced to 11 because the sentences will be served concurrently.
Following the original sentencing, the Sebbages walked out of the court in disgust.
Robert Sebbage was a huge football fan, with a fundraising campaign in aid of the family called Out of the Blue named to reflect the colour of Robert’s favourite Reading FC football team, the ‘Royals’.
Robert bravely battled a rare bowel condition, earning him chance to walk out on Wembley turf as an England mascot at with David Beckham (pictured), in June 2008.
With the 2014 current World Cup in full swing, Mrs Sebbage made a plea for football supporters to help the family in their fight to help secure justice for Robert, by making a donation to the campaign, whilst watching a world cup match, in Robert’s memory.
For more information about the Out of the Blue campaign/to make a donation, visit outoftheblue-rjs.co.uk.
