Court clears Thomas Cook staff in Corfu gas leak trial

Monday, 05 May, 2010 0

Two Thomas Cook resort staff have been cleared of charges relating to the death of two children in a Corfu holiday apartment.

A court on the island found Richard Carson, 28, and Nicola Gibson, 26, not guilty of manslaughter by negligence.

Three judges sitting at Corfu Town courthouse cleared the Thomas Cook employees following a lengthy trial.

The case involved Christianne Shepherd, seven, and her six-year-old brother Robert, from Wakefield, West Yorkshire, died from carbon monoxide poisoning after a faulty boiler leaked gas into their bungalow in Corfu in October 2006.

Three of the 11 people on trail over the deaths were found guilty of manslaughter by negligence and one of breaching building regulations.

The children were on a half-term holiday with their father Neil Shepherd and his partner Ruth Beatson, who were both left in a coma as a result of the accident at the Louis Corcyra Beach Hotel in Gouvia.

Thomas Cook said in a statement that what happened in Corfu was a tragedy and the thoughts and sympathy of everyone at the operator will always be with the family and friends of Christianne and Robert Shepherd.

"We have always maintained that this tragic accident was the result of a unique set of circumstances, none of which could be the responsibility of the company or Richard Carson and Nicola Gibson. We believe that they should never have formed part of this court case," the company said.

Thomas Cook UK & Ireland CEO Pete Constanti said: “There has been a very thorough and robust trial in Corfu and we are pleased that this has identified those responsible, and that the court has confirmed Richard and Nicola’s innocence.

"Both individuals are exemplary members of our team and we are pleased that they have now been fully vindicated.”

by Phil Davies

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Phil Davies

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