Boat tragedy ruling expected

John Lilley and his two children survived

An Aberdeen man involved in a boating tragedy in Italy is due to find out on Thursday whether he must stand trial on manslaughter charges.

John Lilley was at the helm of a boat on Lake Garda in Northern Italy two years ago when it overturned in a storm, killing a family friend and his two young sons.

An Italian court is deciding if the Scotland-based engineer will face a full trial.

Mr Lilley was initially hailed a hero in August 1998 for doing all he could to save his companions' lives when the boat he had hired capsized.

Three police officers could also face trial

He and his two children, Andrew and Alison, survived along with Katherine Harris, a Bedfordshire woman the Lilleys had befriended on their holiday.

But Mrs Harris's husband Richard, and her two sons - Timothy, 13, and Luke, six - all perished.

Mr Lilley was called to a court in Brescia in September this year to face charges of manslaughter.

The owners of the company which rented out the vessel and six Carabinieri police officers, who are accused of failing to initiate a search in good time, also face charges.

It is thought likely Judge Roberto Spano will make a final decision on Thursday on whether a full trial should follow.

However, he could defer this preliminary hearing yet again to hear further evidence.

Mr Lilley had also faced a £1m damages action brought by lawyers acting on behalf of Mrs Harris.

But that matter was rejected by the Italian courts and it is now envisaged that an out-of-court settlement will be made with the boat company, its owners and their insurers.