Father charged over deaths of sons found in car is remanded in custody

Local British BasesdeathFamagustapoliceTop News Father charged over deaths of sons found in car is remanded in custody Father Charged Over Deaths Of Sons Found In Car Is Remanded In Custody Relevant News Low-income pensioners could see 50% increase, minister says 3 July 2026 Father charged over deaths of sons found in car is remanded in custody 3 July 2026 Teacher testifies on abuse claims in inquest into teenager’s 2019 death 3 July 2026 Newsroom 3 July 2026 FacebookXWhatsAppEmailPrintViber A 30-year-old man has been charged with two counts of causing death through a reckless and negligent act, after his two sons, aged 8 and 10, were found dead in a car on Sunday afternoon. The man was committed to trial at Dhekelia Court on Thursday afternoon, with the next hearing set for 16 July. The boys had been left unsupervised after their father rushed to his job in Limassol on Sunday morning, while his 38-year-old partner did the same. The partner was initially arrested but released unconditionally on Wednesday. The court heard that the father is alleged to have left for work in Limassol at 4:30am on the Sunday in question, and to have returned to his flat in Xylofagou only after the children were found dead by his partner. Investigators from the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) decided to bring a more serious charge after testimony indicated the father did not go straight home when he finished work that day, but went to another location for a period of time not disclosed to the court. The prosecution representative, who revealed the testimony, requested the father’s continued detention. The prosecution said there was testimony that the father went to a different location after work, and that CCTV findings showed the tragedy could have been prevented had he gone home. The main reason given for seeking his detention was the risk that he might flee. His lawyer, Adriana Klaidi, disputed this account, arguing that the father left at 5:30am and that the children had not been left unsupervised, since his brother was on site and checked on them regularly. Klaidi said her client denies all the charges against him and objected to his detention. She cited his clean criminal record and the fact that his siblings and cousin work in Cyprus, and asked that he be released under restrictive conditions. “He is living a tragedy, his babies died,” she said, adding that she believed he should be released on bail. The request was rejected by Judge Carl Gunsley, who ruled that the accused must remain in custody until the trial begins. “It is a terrible tragedy,” Gunsley said, but added that the seriousness of the offences meant the court had to ensure he did not abscond. After the hearing, Klaidi said the court had ruled that the accused did not have sufficient ties to the Dhekelia Sovereign Base Area, and had therefore ordered his detention until the next hearing on 16 July at 9am, when the case will be heard by a senior judge from England. Asked about her client’s condition, Klaidi said he was in a very poor psychological state, and that, as a result of the court’s decision, he would not be able to travel to Bulgaria to attend his children’s funeral. Timeline of the tragedy Sovereign Base Areas Police believe they now have a clear picture of what happened on the Sunday afternoon in question, largely from a motion-activated CCTV camera. According to sources, the footage shows the children playing in the yard at 12.10pm and getting into the car at around 2.30pm. Their stepmother found them unconscious in the back seat after 5.30pm. The children appear to have got into the car, which was parked in the open area of the block of flats where they lived, through an open door at the rear. Philenews has learned that expert examination found damage to that door, which had remained unlocked even though the car itself was locked. The children then appear to have become trapped inside, as the child safety lock was activated. The cause of death remains unconfirmed and will be established following forensic examination of samples taken from the children’s bodies, which will be transported to Bulgaria at the expense of the Cypriot state. Subscribe to our Newsletter Latest News Low-income pensioners could see 50% increase, minister says Teacher testifies on abuse claims in inquest into teenager’s 2019 death Cyprus temperatures to reach 37C on Friday From a Karavas cart dream to a business empire: the life of Nicos Shacolas Digital TV switchover triggers surge of complaints across Cyprus Roadworks cause chaos in Germasogeia, Deputy Mayor declares “unbelievable inconvenience” Overnight pharmacies on Thursday, July 2 Follow en.philenews on Google News and be the first to know all the news about Cyprus and the world.