Robert Sebbage unlawfully killed coroner decides

The 18-year-old was stabbed through the heart by a taxi driver in Laganas in Zakynthos, Greece, this summer

FORMER Hurst Community College pupils and friends of Robert Sebbage, the Tadley teenager murdered in Greece this summer, described the moment he was killed at his inquest on Monday.

Mr Sebbage, aged 18, who lived at Weyhill Close, died after being stabbed through the heart by a taxi driver in Laganas in Zakynthos, Greece, in the early hours of July 13.

North East Hampshire coroner Andrew Bradley recorded a verdict of unlawful killing at Basingstoke Coroner's Court.

Mr Sebbage was holidaying with fellow former Hurst Community College pupils Jordan Manson, Samuel Champion, Steven Granston and Callum Lane, who were also stabbed in the attack and gave evidence at today's inquest.

Mr Manson of Ringshall Gardens, Bramley, was the most seriously hurt, suffering a collapsed lung after he was chased into an alleyway and stabbed following the fatal attack on Mr Sebbage.

Another friend who was on holiday with the teenagers was Dominic Luckman, who was not injured in the incident. He described the moment he realised Mr Sebbage had been stabbed.

“I was shocked and I didn't realise what was going on. There were hundreds of people around by now.

“Rob said ‘Look Dom I've been stabbed'. I could see blood and then he collapsed onto a table.”

The inquest heard how the group had got into an altercation with the taxi driver outside McDonalds.

After making threats to Mr Sebbage with a baseball bat the taxi driver returned to his car and some of the group shone a laser pen at him.

The taxi driver then walked back to the group and coroner Andrew Bradley told the inquest how he appeared to have ”run amok”.

Mr Bradley said: “Rob is no longer with us. It was a determined effort by the man who administered it.

“There was a melee in the street. I've no doubt the lads did their bit in causing that.

“He runs amok and causes a monumental amount of damage and that's the event that causes Rob's death.”

Taxi driver Stelios Morfis, aged 21, has been charged with the murder of Mr Sebbage. Another man, Dimosthenes Mylonas, 25, has been charged as an accomplice.

Following the incident, Mr Sebbage's parents Andy and Rhian flew out to Greece. Mr Sebbage had lived at home with them and his two elder brothers, Martin and Steven.

He had been a member of Tadley Calleva Youth Football Team since the age of seven and fulfilled a lifelong dream in 2007, when he stepped out on the Wembley turf as England mascot alongside David Beckham.

For more details from the inquest and reaction from Mr Sebbage's family read this week's Newbury Weekly News.