Confusion over Corfu death charges

12 April 2012

Confusion is reigning over criminal charges relating to the deaths of two British children from carbon monoxide poisoning as they slept in a hotel in Corfu.

Greek court officials said an official from tour operator Thomas Cook and five hotel staff had been charged with the manslaughter of Christianne Shepherd, seven, and her six-year-old brother Robert, from West Yorkshire who died on October 26 while on a half-term family holiday on the island.

But Thomas Cook issued a statement denying that one of its staff had been charged in connection with the deaths of the two children.

The hotel director, general manager and maintenance manager, as well as the air conditioning installation manager and a maintenance employee, were charged with manslaughter and causing bodily harm through negligence, Greek court officials said.

They said the same charges were brought against an official from Thomas Cook, who inspected the hotel.

All would face a maximum sentence of five years in jail in found guilty.

But in a statement, the tour operator said: "Thomas Cook can categorically confirm that no charges have been issued against the company or any of its officers by Greek police or any other Greek authorities.

"We can also confirm that at no time during this inquiry have the police or any other authority been in touch with us."

The children's father Neil Shepherd, 38, and his girlfriend Ruth Beatson, 27, survived and are now being treated at Pinderfields General Hospital in Wakefield, West Yorkshire.

The funeral of the two children will be held in Wakefield next Tuesday.

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