Further delays in murder trial

Robert Sebbage, aged 18, of Weyhill Close, Tadley, died after being stabbed through the heart in Laganas in Zakynthos, on July 13 last year.
North East Hampshire coroner, Andrew Bradley, later recorded a verdict of unlawful killing at Basingstoke Coroner’s Court.
Mr Sebbage – a Reading Football Club fan, who bravely battled a rare bowel condition, earning him chance to walk out as an England mascot at Wembley with David Beckham in June 2008 – was holidaying with fellow former Hurst Community College pupils, Jordan Manson, Samuel Champion, Steven Granston and Callum Lane, when he died.
Four of the party also received stab injuries during the fatal incident - including Mr Manson, who suffered a collapsed lung.
The trial in which the Greek taxi driver, Stelios Morfis, aged 22, is charged with murdering Robert Sebbage (pictured right), opened on Monday September 3.
He denies the murder of the Tadley teenager.
Another man, Dimosthenes Mylonas, aged 26, has been charged as an accomplice.
Delays, according to the Sebbage family, were due to lengthy court procedures, involving English-speaking witnesses, including Robert’s friends involved in the fatal incident.
Their evidence is being translated into Greek at the hearing, which is taking place in the southern port city of Patras, with the Sebbage family assisted by a Greek speaking solicitor.
Speaking to the NWN from Greece on Tuesday (September 11) , Robert’s father, Andy Sebbage, said a verdict was not likely until Thursday (September 20).
The family, he continued, had a five day wait until their next court appearance on Monday (September 17).
“We are bored sitting around, with no idea when we will be coming home,” said Mr Sebbage.
The family party included Robert’s mother, Rhian, and his brother, Martin, aged 24, along with five of Robert’s friends, among a 22-strong group who initially flew out to Greece for the court hearing.
Mr Sebbage said some members of this group, whose evidence had been heard, flew home on Saturday (September 8), with others due to return yesterday (Wednesday September 12), including Robert’s friends and their parents.
Mrs Sebbage last week said the trial had lasted twice as long as anticipated, with the Greek court only sitting a few hours a day.