A British man, prosecuted for negligence following the death of his two-year-old son who fell from a hotel window in Cyprus, has appealed to a judge to allow him to return to the UK for his child's funeral. The 37-year-old, identified as a City banker, faces charges of causing death by a rash, reckless, or dangerous act.
The incident occurred at the King Evelthon Beach Hotel and Resort in Chlorakas, near Paphos. The child fell from the fourth floor of the hotel. The father surrendered his travel documents and is currently prohibited from leaving the island. He appeared before Paphos district court on Friday and was informed that a decision on his bail request, which would permit him to travel home, would be made next week. He is expected to return to Cyprus in September for the commencement of his trial.
Alexandros Alexandrou, the father's lawyer, described the request as a "humanitarian matter," expressing confidence that the court would not object to his client returning to his wife and eldest child, who have already traveled back to the UK. Alexandrou emphasized the need for the case to be viewed from a humanitarian perspective, stating that the father's priority is to reunite with his family and grieve.
The family, from Essex, had been on their first day of holiday when the incident occurred around 6:40 p.m. on Sunday, July 12. The boy was transported to a hospital after the fall but was pronounced dead upon arrival. The father was arrested later that evening.
Toxicology reports indicated a small quantity of alcohol in the man's blood, equivalent to one or two drinks, the significance of which the court will determine. The Attorney General's office ordered criminal prosecution for "causing death by a rash, reckless, or dangerous act or conduct not amounting to culpable negligence." The father was released under strict restrictive conditions, including providing his accommodation address and reporting to the police station weekly, to ensure his presence at future hearings.
Sources close to the family have called for intervention from the UK government, specifically the Foreign Secretary, to support their plea for the father to attend the funeral. While acknowledging the independence of the Cypriot judicial process, the family believes the situation warrants attention from the UK government. They expressed disappointment with the initial lack of support from UK representatives in the week following the arrest, noting no visits from officials including the High Commissioner in Cyprus, who was reportedly on holiday. The family hopes for more consistent and active support, especially given the father's immense mental strain and the psychological impact of remaining in Cyprus.
The child fell from a fourth-floor window. The window is described as a tall, glass, sliding pane, making it difficult to ascertain at first glance whether it is open.
The family's lawyer had made multiple requests for the man's release, even under strict bail conditions, hoping he could be present to inform his five-year-old daughter of her brother's death.