British father due in Paphos court for mitigation over son’s death
A British father who admitted causing his three-year-old son's death by a rash or negligent act is due in Paphos court on Tuesday after a one-day adjournment.
Paphos, Cyprus. A 37-year-old British father who pleaded guilty in connection with the death of his three-year-old son is due before Paphos district court at 10.30am on Tuesday. The prosecution is expected to outline the facts of the case before the defence presents its plea in mitigation.
Hearing postponed by one day
The father had been due in court on Monday for mitigation and possible sentencing, but proceedings were postponed after his lawyer, Alexandros Alexandrou, said a supporting document from the UK had not arrived in time.
The boy died after falling from a fourth-floor window at a hotel in Chlorakas on July 12, the first day of the family’s holiday in Cyprus.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, the prosecution is expected to set out the circumstances surrounding the death. The defence will then submit written mitigation and supporting documents before making further oral submissions.
Defence to address circumstances and culpability
Alexandrou said on Monday that the mitigation would cover the father’s personal, financial and employment circumstances, as well as the circumstances of the incident and the degree of culpability the defence believes should be attributed to him.
The father admitted causing death by a rash or negligent act and pleaded guilty at his previous appearance on September 22. The defence maintains that the nature and degree of the negligence will be important in determining the appropriate sentence.
Alexandrou said a separate hearing remained possible if a material disagreement arose between the prosecution and defence over facts relevant to sentencing.
Sentencing date remains uncertain
It remains unclear whether the court will impose sentence on Tuesday. Following Monday’s adjournment, Alexandrou said a decision could come on Tuesday or later in the week.
The charge carries a maximum sentence of four years’ imprisonment. The defence has said it will seek the minimum possible penalty.
The defence previously asked the attorney-general to suspend the prosecution on humanitarian and public-interest grounds, citing the devastating impact of the child’s death on the family. The request was rejected, and the prosecution continued.
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