Tadley family's upset on anniversary of son's death

Killer allowed time out of Greek prison

A TADLEY family said they are trying to continue with their lives, despite being upset to learn their youngest son’s killer was being allowed time out of his Greek prison.

Robert, the 18-year-old son of Rhian and Andy Sebbage, died after being stabbed by a taxi driver in Zakynthos, Greece, on July 13, 2011.

Stelios Morfis was initially 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.

Three years later, this sentence was increased following the family’s successful appeal in a Greek court.

The new verdict of murder in the third degree, concluded by the Superior Court of Appeals in Patras, saw the sentence increased to 16 years and four months, following which the family said they felt justice had been done.

Mr Sebbage told the Newbury Weekly News this week that their Greek solicitor had recently informed them that Morfis was being allowed to spend time out of prison.

Although upset to hear this, he said they were reluctant to take the matter further, having already suffered considerable emotional and financial cost in recent years.

Mr Sebbage said: “He was convicted of murder and has that hanging over his head, we are trying to carry on with our lives.”

The anniversary of Robert’s death last Wednesday was marked in several ways by Mr and Mrs Sebbage, including a visit to Queen Mary’s College, Basingstoke, to lay flowers beside a plaque and tree dedicated to their son.

They also visited Great Ormond Street Hospital London, where Robert received treatment as a youngster bravely battling a rare bowel condition, and where they looked at a book of remembrance together.

“We had a pizza and KFC on the way home – that’s what he would have done himself,” said Mr Sebbage.

Mr and Mrs Sebbage have found solace counselling others in similar situations, as volunteers for the Jimmy Mizen Foundation, a charity set up following the death of a Lewisham 16-year-old who lost his life in an unprovoked attack in a bakery in May 2008.

“We have been there, done that and got the T-shirt and it’s helping us to overcome our grief,” said Mr Sebbage.

Having suffered a heart attack during the family’s ordeal, losing his job as a result, Mr Sebbage has since found employment with Tadley undertakers Geoffrey Church & Co, where he said his experience had proved highly useful, helping the bereaved come to terms with their loss.

The family also has two happy occasions to look forward to – the forthcoming weddings of their eldest son Martin, aged 28, in Ireland, and of their other son, 25-year-old Steven, who is in the army and stationed in Germany.