Two Brits extradited to Cyprus for death of local lad

Two cousins from Essex have lost their fight against extradition to Cyprus when the Supreme Court turned down a further appeal. The two, Michael Binnington and Luke Atkinson, surrendered themselves at Belgravia Police Station earlier this week and were taken to Heathrow Airport where they were handed over to Cypriot authorities.

The case goes back to 2006 when the hire car they were travelling in as passengers knocked down a local 17-year-old lad on motorbike. The Cypriot teenager died of his injuries and the three were later arrested. An original court case sentenced the driver, Julian Harrington, to 15-years in prison when he admitted to manslaughter and GBH. The two cousins were acquitted of direct involvement in the death.

The two then returned to the UK in February 2007, but a High Court in Cyprus overruled the original verdict and found the two guilty of manslaughter in their absence. From January 2008 they have been fighting extradition to Cyprus through a number of courts and appeal courts. They have been sentenced to three years in prison and it is though that they will serve a minimum of six months before being allowed to return to the UK to finish out their sentence.

The pair’s lawyer, Karen Todner said her main concern now was for their safety in the Nicosia prison where they will serve their time. There was widespread anger from local Cypriot people after the incident and during the trial. Ms Todner is hoping to repatriate the two as soon as possible.