Friends testify in Zakynthos taxi driver stab case

The trial of a Greek taxi driver accused of murdering a British teenager on the holiday island of Zakynthos heard today from the friends who witnessed his death.

Callum Lane, Steven Granstone and Jordan Manson described how Robert Sebbage, 18, died in the argument from a single stab to the heart.

The three men appeared on the second day of the trial of Stelios Morfis in the southern port city of Patras, court officials told the Associated Press.

The taxi driver, 22, denies the murder of the teenager from Tadley in Hampshire. He has apologised for the stabbing, saying he lashed out with a pocket knife after being taunted by a group of British youths.

Another man, Dimosthenes Mylonas, 26, has been charged as an accomplice.

All three witnesses were injured in the stabbing attack on the island on July 13 last year.

Mr Sebbage was on holiday with eight friends when he was killed during their last night out when the group got into an argument with two taxi drivers.

Mr Sebbage's parents, Andy and Rhian, flew out to Greece and returned with their son's body.

The Reading fan battled with a rare bowel condition and walked out as an England mascot at Wembley with David Beckham in June 2007.

An inquest last year heard how the group had been out for a few drinks and were walking to a McDonald's restaurant when they were followed by two taxis.

The front taxi "nudged" the leg of Mr Lane, leading him to sit on the bonnet and banter being passed between the group.

After that taxi driver had driven off, the friends got their food and as they sat on the kerb to eat it, they noticed that the driver of the second taxi had pulled over and was sat on the boot of his vehicle and staring at them.

The driver then confronted the group, particularly Mr Sebbage and Mr Manson, and threatened them with a baseball bat.

Mr Granstone told the inquest: "Rob was jumping up and down, he was probably winding the guy up but he didn't deserve what happened to him."

A laser pen was then shone at the driver and the group continued shouting at the driver who returned and began attacking them.

Mr Granstone said that Mr Manson, who suffered serious chest and stomach wounds, was the first to be attacked followed by Mr Sebbage.

Mr Granstone, who was stabbed in the back, said: "He had a clenched fist and took a swing at me.

"I felt him hit me and I stumbled. I felt something warm on my back and I brought my hand back and saw it covered in blood."

He said that he then saw Mr Sebbage lying on the ground.

He added: "It all happened so quickly. I could see Rob's T-shirt was covered in blood, he was pale-skinned but he had turned all white."

He said: "I was scared and angry and very upset, by now I knew Rob had died."

Describing the taxi driver, he added: "He was uncontrollable, I think he knew who he wanted to get."

A verdict of unlawful killing was delivered by North Hampshire Coroner Andrew Bradley who praised the group of friends for their bravery.

PA