Tadley teenager's funeral on Thursday

Funeral of 19-year-old Robert Sebbage to be held at Basingstoke church

THE FUNERAL of a Tadley teenager who died after being stabbed while on holiday in Greece last month is to be held in Basingstoke on Thursday (August 4).

Robert Sebbage, aged 19, who lived at Weyhill Close, Tadley, died after being attacked in Leganos, Zakynthos, during the early hours of July 13.

It had been his first holiday abroad with four of his friends - Samuel Champion, Steven Granston, Callum Lane and Jordan Manson - from his schooldays at the Hurst Community College, Baughurst.

Eighteen-year-old Jordan Manson, of Ringshall Gardens, Bramley, was seriously injured in the attack and suffered a collapsed lung from a knife wound, but has since returned home and is continuing to make a good recovery, according to his father, Nigel Manson.

Stephen Granson and Callum Lane suffered minor injuries in the incident.

Greek taxi driver, Stelios Morfis, aged 21, appeared in court on July 15, facing manslaughter charges. Fellow taxi driver, Dimosthenes Mylonas, aged 25, has been charged with aiding Morfis in connection with the incident and released on bail.

Thousands of tributes have been paid to Mr Sebbage on Facebook and his former school, the Hurst, paid tribute to him at a sports award evening recently with a minute of continuous applause, during which the 300-strong audience rose to their feet.

A football fan and lifelong Reading FC supporter, Mr Sebbage was an England team mascot in 2007 when he stepped out on Wembley turf beside former England captain, David Beckham.

He suffered from a rare bowel disorder, eosinophilic colitis and gut dysmotility, for which he received treatment at the Basingstoke and North Hampshire hospital.

His funeral is at 1pm on Thursday at St Mary's church, Eastrop. Family flowers only.

Donations to Charlie's Day Unit, Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, cheques payable to the North Hampshire Hospitals charity, c/o Geoffrey Church funeral directors.

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