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