British father returns to UK for funeral after Paphos hotel death

Paphos, Cyprus. A British father charged after the death of his three-year-old son at a Paphos hotel has returned to the United Kingdom after a court temporarily lifted travel restrictions to allow him to attend the child’s funeral, his lawyer said on Friday.

The 37-year-old must return to Cyprus by September 14 under the terms set by the Paphos District Court.

Court conditions

The father had been barred from leaving Cyprus after being charged with negligent supervision following his son’s fatal fall from the fourth floor of a hotel in Paphos last month.

Earlier this week, the Paphos District Court accepted a defence application to temporarily lift the travel ban and ordered the return of his passport after the prosecution did not oppose the request.

The court required an additional €10,000 guarantee before allowing him to leave Cyprus. He must remain available to the authorities during his stay in the country after his return.

Funeral preparations

Defence lawyer Alexandros Alexandrou told CyBC radio that his client had returned to the UK and reunited with his family.

“He has already returned to his homeland,” Alexandrou said. “I spoke with him last night. He has reunited with his family and they are preparing for the burial of their young child.”

Alexandrou said his client remained in an extremely fragile state following the tragedy. He also welcomed the approach taken by the court and the attorney-general’s office.