Greek Child Murderer tries to wriggle away from justice
 

Corfu hotel boss defends conduct
The hotel manager facing manslaughter charges over the deaths of two UK
children in Corfu from carbon monoxide poisoning says he did nothing
wrong.

George Chrysikopoulos said he had no prior knowledge that anything was
wrong in the bungalow where Christianne, seven, and Robert Shepherd,
six, died.

The boiler under police investigation was inspected in April, he said.

The hotel manager, owner and two maintenance staff face up to five
years in jail if convicted of manslaughter.

Mr Chrysikopoulos, speaking through his assistant, said the whole
complex at the Louis Corcyra Beach Hotel in Gouvia was inspected for
safety in April before the tourist season began.

It should not have happened, but it did, but it does not mean resorts
in Corfu are not safe
Kostas Dendrinos
Corfu's Association of Hotel Managers


"We had no information at any time that would point to any problem with
this bungalow, any other or the hotel prior to this tragic incident,"
he said.

"Experts have been appointed by the hotel from the National Technical
University of Athens.

"Those experts will examine the installation of the bungalow as soon as
the police release it. We cannot start with our investigation until
that happens."

The bungalow B112 where the family stayed was renovated seven years ago
and its boiler replaced two years ago, with annual inspections since,
he said. The last inspection took place in April by an independent
expert.

'Inconsolable'

Responding to reports that two people who stayed in the bungalow in the
week before the tragedy had also fallen ill, he said two doctors found
they were suffering gastroenteritis.

The children's father, Neil Shepherd, 38, who was found alongside them
in the hotel room, has become fully conscious for the first time,
according to hospital staff.

His partner Ruth Beatson, 27, who was also poisoned, has been taken out
of intensive care.

She has been told by her mother about the deaths of the children but it
is unclear whether Mr Shepherd has been informed.

Prayers have been said for Christianne and Robert at services in Corfu
and their home in West Yorkshire.

Services took place at Wakefield Cathedral, West Yorkshire, and the
Anglican Holy Trinity Church in Corfu.

Father Clifford Owen told ex-pat worshippers in Corfu the thoughts of
the island's residents were with the classmates of the two dead
children, who on Monday return after the half term holiday without
their friends.

Christianne and Robert's mother, Sharon Wood, 35, had lived with the
children in Horbury.

Mrs Wood has visited the hotel where her children died and was said to
be inconsolable.

Panic

She made a second visit to the mortuary on Sunday with her husband
Paul, where she spent about 40 minutes inside the building.

A pathologist said carbon monoxide poisoning was the cause of death and
the investigation is focusing on the room's gas boiler and
air-conditioning.

Tour operator Thomas Cook said the latest audit of the hotel showed
"the property met all of the Federation of Tour Operators'
requirements".

The BBC's Malcolm Brabant said the children's deaths have sent a wave
of shock and panic through the Greek holiday industry.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/h...pe/6097068.stm

Published: 2006/10/29 17:43:32 GMT

Greek Child Murderer tries to wriggle away from justice
 

Two taken ill in Corfu death room
By Maggie Dolan
BBC News Website

A couple who previously stayed in the Corfu hotel room in which two
children died from carbon monoxide poisoning also fell ill during their
holiday.

Kathy Pallant and her husband Andrew stayed in bungalow 112 at the
Corcyra Palace Hotel four days before siblings Christianne and Robert
Shepherd died.

Christianne, seven, and Robert, six, were found dead on 26 October
lying next to their father and his partner.

Mr and Mrs Pallant, from Bucks, were treated for suspected
gastroenteritis.

'Lucky to be alive'

Carbon monoxide poisoning can be mistaken for gastroenteritis.

The hotel had said that no other guests fell ill.

My husband's a big man, and it took an awful lot of his strength for
him to crawl round and get to the telephone for help
Kathy Pallant

Mrs Pallant who lives near Leighton Buzzard told BBC News: "We feel
very, very lucky to be alive. We feel dreadful about this family. It
must not be hushed up.

"There must be other people who were taken ill. There were other people
in there. We didn't see anything, but then did anyone see us being
taken away by ambulance? I can't remember, I wasn't on this planet.

"My husband's a big man, and it took an awful lot of his strength for
him to crawl round and get to the telephone for help."

Tour operator First Choice confirmed from the incident report logged by
the on-site representative at the hotel that a Mr and Mrs Pallant were
in the same room as Neil Shepherd, 38, his children Christianne and
Robert and his partner Ruth Beatson, 27.

Mr Shepherd and Ms Beatson were found unconscious in the room. They are
both in a serious condition but are recovering.

In a statement the operator said: "Mr and Mrs Pallant were staying in
room 112 last week between 16 and 23 October.

"They were both taken ill with suspected gastroenteritis and were
hospitalised. They were discharged the following day. They then
travelled home on their original return flight."

Symptoms non-specific

The clinic in which the couple received treatment stated that the tests
undertaken showed nothing untoward.

Toxicology expert Professor Alistair Hay said that the difficulty is
that the symptoms associated with carbon monoxide poisoning are
non-specific.

"You have headaches, you have aches and pains, you may feel very tired,
and of course this could be attributed to a virus," he said.

The investigation into the children's deaths is centred around a gas
boiler adjacent to the room and experts are now carrying out an
examination on that, as well as air conditioning and water heater
systems.

Scotland Yard detectives permanently stationed in Athens are working on
the investigation alongside their Greek colleagues.

Greek police said they are planning to charge the owner of a hotel in
Corfu, the maintenance manager and the air conditioning engineer with
negligent manslaughter.

Hotel manager George Chrysikopoulos refused to comment on the cause of
the children's deaths because of concerns over prejudicing the police
investigation.

But in a statement, read in Greek and translated by an assistant, he
said: "The hotel management are deeply saddened by this tragic loss of
life and extend their most deepest condolences and sympathy to the
family for their great loss at this time.

Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/1/h...nd/6094358.stm

Published: 2006/10/29 14:46:11 GMT

© BBC MMVI

Greek Child Murderer tries to wriggle away from justice
 

"King Seanie, MASTER of all grik slaves" wrote in
message ups.com...
Corfu hotel boss defends conduct
The hotel manager facing manslaughter charges over the deaths of two UK
children in Corfu from carbon monoxide poisoning says he did nothing
wrong.

George Chrysikopoulos said he had no prior knowledge that anything was
wrong in the bungalow where Christianne, seven, and Robert Shepherd,
six, died.

The boiler under police investigation was inspected in April, he said.

The hotel manager, owner and two maintenance staff face up to five
years in jail if convicted of manslaughter.

This is the sort of nonsence that used to happen in the UK.

Each blames the other and no-one is convicted. Now the
rules in the UK have been changed so the responsibility
is farely and squarely with the owner. Unless the other
parties have done something stupid, like falsified the test
certificate or similar, they stand no chance of geting put
in the dock, which IMHO is how it should be.

tim

Greek Child Murderer tries to wriggle away from justice
 

"tim(yet another new home)" wrote in message
...
The hotel manager, owner and two maintenance staff face up to five
years in jail if convicted of manslaughter.

This is the sort of nonsence that used to happen in the UK.

Each blames the other and no-one is convicted. Now the
rules in the UK have been changed so the responsibility
is farely and squarely with the owner. Unless the other
parties have done something stupid, like falsified the test
certificate or similar, they stand no chance of geting put
in the dock, which IMHO is how it should be.

Why? If it was the manager's job to ensure the tests are carried out, and he didn't,
then why is the owner responsible?

If I own shares in a company that kills someone due to negligent management, do I and
the other shareholders get prosecuted rather than the company's management?

--
Andy

Greek Child Murderer tries to wriggle away from justice
 

On Sun, 29 Oct 2006 22:54:57 -0000, "Andy Pandy"
wrote:


"tim(yet another new home)" wrote in message
...
The hotel manager, owner and two maintenance staff face up to five
years in jail if convicted of manslaughter.

This is the sort of nonsence that used to happen in the UK.

Each blames the other and no-one is convicted. Now the
rules in the UK have been changed so the responsibility
is farely and squarely with the owner. Unless the other
parties have done something stupid, like falsified the test
certificate or similar, they stand no chance of geting put
in the dock, which IMHO is how it should be.

Why? If it was the manager's job to ensure the tests are carried out, and he didn't,
then why is the owner responsible?

If I own shares in a company that kills someone due to negligent management, do I and
the other shareholders get prosecuted rather than the company's management?

And if the inspection or maintenance that was carried out
was poorly or inadequately performed - why is the owner
liable and not the inspector or technician?


Cheers, Alan, Australia
--
http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/
latest: Florence
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/

Greek Child Murderer tries to wriggle away from justice
 

"Alan S" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 29 Oct 2006 22:54:57 -0000, "Andy Pandy"
wrote:


"tim(yet another new home)" wrote in message
...
The hotel manager, owner and two maintenance staff face up to five
years in jail if convicted of manslaughter.

This is the sort of nonsence that used to happen in the UK.

Each blames the other and no-one is convicted. Now the
rules in the UK have been changed so the responsibility
is farely and squarely with the owner. Unless the other
parties have done something stupid, like falsified the test
certificate or similar, they stand no chance of geting put
in the dock, which IMHO is how it should be.

Why? If it was the manager's job to ensure the tests are carried out, and
he didn't,
then why is the owner responsible?

If I own shares in a company that kills someone due to negligent
management, do I and
the other shareholders get prosecuted rather than the company's
management?

And if the inspection or maintenance that was carried out
was poorly or inadequately performed - why is the owner
liable and not the inspector or technician?


Cheers, Alan, Australia

In the US it is unofficially called the "principle of the deep pockets."
The lawyer knows that the inspector and technician have little money so the
lawsuit names the company that sent the technician, and the manager, and the
owner, and the company that manages the chain, as well as the tour company
that made the reservations. In other words, anyone who has any small
relation to the act, but, more importantly, has the "deep pockets" to pay
off. Cases are usually settled out of court, just before trial. US juries
are notorious for awarding millions for a spilled cup of coffee. Maybe this
principle applies here.


--
http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/
latest: Florence
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/

Greek Child Murderer tries to wriggle away from justice
 

"Billzz" wrote in message
...
"Alan S" wrote in message
...
On Sun, 29 Oct 2006 22:54:57 -0000, "Andy Pandy"
wrote:


"tim(yet another new home)" wrote in message
...
The hotel manager, owner and two maintenance staff face up to five
years in jail if convicted of manslaughter.

This is the sort of nonsence that used to happen in the UK.

Each blames the other and no-one is convicted. Now the
rules in the UK have been changed so the responsibility
is farely and squarely with the owner. Unless the other
parties have done something stupid, like falsified the test
certificate or similar, they stand no chance of geting put
in the dock, which IMHO is how it should be.

Why? If it was the manager's job to ensure the tests are carried out, and
he didn't,
then why is the owner responsible?

If I own shares in a company that kills someone due to negligent
management, do I and
the other shareholders get prosecuted rather than the company's
management?

And if the inspection or maintenance that was carried out
was poorly or inadequately performed - why is the owner
liable and not the inspector or technician?


Cheers, Alan, Australia

In the US it is unofficially called the "principle of the deep pockets."
The lawyer knows that the inspector and technician have little money so
the lawsuit names the company that sent the technician, and the manager,
and the owner, and the company that manages the chain, as well as the tour
company that made the reservations. In other words, anyone who has any
small relation to the act, but, more importantly, has the "deep pockets"
to pay off. Cases are usually settled out of court, just before trial.
US juries are notorious for awarding millions for a spilled cup of coffee.
Maybe this principle applies here.


--
http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/
latest: Florence
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/

Greek Child Murderer tries to wriggle away from justice
 

Why? If it was the manager's job to ensure the tests are carried out, and
he didn't,
then why is the owner responsible?

If I own shares in a company that kills someone due to negligent
management, do I and
the other shareholders get prosecuted rather than the company's
management?

Theoretically, the shareholders should lose value of their shares. But, at
least in US corporations, the legal structure of the corporation places that
final responsibilty in management -- the Board members who are elected by
the shareholders. They are all insured in case of this.

But was the hotel a corporation, or just a small business? If it is a small
business, the owner is responsible, because he/she hired the manager to
represent him/her. The buck stops here. Of course, I'm making comments based
on US concepts that are probably useless in Greece, so I'll shut up now.



And if the inspection or maintenance that was carried out
was poorly or inadequately performed - why is the owner
liable and not the inspector or technician?


Cheers, Alan, Australia

In the US it is unofficially called the "principle of the deep pockets."
The lawyer knows that the inspector and technician have little money so
the lawsuit names the company that sent the technician, and the manager,
and the owner, and the company that manages the chain, as well as the tour
company that made the reservations. In other words, anyone who has any
small relation to the act, but, more importantly, has the "deep pockets"
to pay off. Cases are usually settled out of court, just before trial.
US juries are notorious for awarding millions for a spilled cup of coffee.
Maybe this principle applies here.


--
http://loraltravel.blogspot.com/
latest: Florence
http://loraldiabetes.blogspot.com/

Greek Child Murderer tries to wriggle away from justice
 

"Andy Pandy" wrote in message
...

"tim(yet another new home)" wrote in message
...
The hotel manager, owner and two maintenance staff face up to five
years in jail if convicted of manslaughter.

This is the sort of nonsence that used to happen in the UK.

Each blames the other and no-one is convicted. Now the
rules in the UK have been changed so the responsibility
is farely and squarely with the owner. Unless the other
parties have done something stupid, like falsified the test
certificate or similar, they stand no chance of geting put
in the dock, which IMHO is how it should be.

Why? If it was the manager's job to ensure the tests are carried out, and
he didn't,
then why is the owner responsible?

If I own shares in a company that kills someone due to negligent
management, do I and
the other shareholders get prosecuted rather than the company's
management?

I was thinking, working owner (which this person appears to
be), not shareholders in a PLC

tim

Greek Child Murderer tries to wriggle away from justice
 

"Sarah Banick" wrote in message
. ..

Why? If it was the manager's job to ensure the tests are carried out, and
he didn't,
then why is the owner responsible?

If I own shares in a company that kills someone due to negligent
management, do I and
the other shareholders get prosecuted rather than the company's
management?

Theoretically, the shareholders should lose value of their shares.

Only if the company goes bust, and anyway that's not prosecution, that's just losing
an investment.

But, at
least in US corporations, the legal structure of the corporation places that
final responsibilty in management -- the Board members who are elected by
the shareholders. They are all insured in case of this.

We're talking about criminal responsibility. How can you insure against getting set
to prison for manslaughter?

But was the hotel a corporation, or just a small business? If it is a small
business, the owner is responsible, because he/she hired the manager to
represent him/her. The buck stops here. Of course, I'm making comments based
on US concepts that are probably useless in Greece, so I'll shut up now.

Really? So if you hire someone who does something stupid, illegal, or negligent, you
are responsible? Even if there is no way you could have known or suspected they were
incompetant or crooked?

--
Andy