Tadley family sees manslaughter charge overturned for murder

The son of Rhian and Andy Sebbage, Robert, died aged 18 after being stabbed by a taxi driver in Zakynthos, Greece, in July 2011.
Greek taxi driver, Stelios Morfis, was found guilty of the unintentional manslaughter of Robert Sebbage, for which he was given six years, , plus two years for each act of 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.
Mr and Mrs Sebbage walked out of court following the sentencing, which they said did not reflect the horrific crime and pledged to fight for justice through the appeal courts.
On Tuesday (July 8), the Sebbage family released the following statement:
“The initial verdict from September 2012 which found Morfis guilty of the unintentional manslaughter' of Robert Sebbage has been overturned. A new verdict of murder in the third degree has been concluded by the Superior Court of Appeals in Patras and the sentence has been increased to 16 years and four months.
For the murder of Robert Sebbage the sentence imposed was 12 years; however it should be noted that two of the three Appellate judges recommended a penalty of 18 years for this crime.
For the assaults on Jordan Manson, Sam Champion, Steven Granston and Callum Lane a penalty of 20 months for each stabbing was imposed and a further penalty of two years for carrying and using a deadly weapon was also applied.
The penalties for these further charges will be served, in part, concurrently resulting in a final punitive sentence of 16 years and 4 months.
The family of Robert Sebbage would like to express their deep gratitude for the continued support of their family, friends and the wider community.
We are extremely relieved that the Superior Court of Appeals has increased the severity of the punishment imposed on Stelios Morfis and that he has been accurately represented in court as a murderer. However, we are conscious that no penalty will ever be enough to ease the pain of losing our beloved son and brother.
We would like to thank our very dedicated legal team in Greece and our Greek interpreter, as well as our many wonderful family members and friends who have supported us through the last difficult three years.
We would now appreciate some time and privacy as a family to reflect on this painful experience, and finally move on with our grief. Thank you.