Tadley family fly to Greece to hear appeal

A TADLEY family flew out to Greece today (Tuesday) to hear the appeal into the six-year jail sentence given to the taxi driver convicted of their son’s manslaughter.
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 22-year-old Stelios 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.
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.
Speaking to the Newbury Weekly News this week, Mrs Sebbage said the family’s first court appearance was scheduled for Wednesday (June 11) and continued:
“We have no idea how long we will be there as there is no guarantee we will be in court for consecutive days. We are ready as we can be.”
Mr Sebbage said regardless of the outcome, they would not be taking the case any further after the appeal.
” We can’t afford it - emotionally or financially,” he said, adding he, his wife, family and friends were “emotionally drained,” with a party of 14 flying out to Greece, including four of Robert’s friends involved in the court case, along with his brothers, Martin and Steven.
Fundraising in the Tadley community to allow the family to attend the appeal included an early May bank holiday fundraiser - the annual Party on the Pitch, at Barlows Park, Silchester Road.
The party raised £5, 500 towards the cause, after Tadley boyband, Concept, broke their European tour to perform at the event, attracting a 1,500-strong crowd and in memory of Robert, their friend at the Hurst Community College, Baughurst and Queen Mary’s College Basingstoke.
The Out of the Blue campaign - named to reflect the colour of Robert’s favourite Reading FC football team, the ‘Royals’ - has raised £60,000 towards the cause.
For more information about the campaign, visit outoftheblue-rjs.co.uk.