Death pair await extradition rule

Luke Atkinson at court in Larnaca during his trial

Two men from Essex must wait four weeks to hear if they must return to Cyprus to serve a three-year jail term for the manslaughter of a Cypriot teenager.

Michael Binnington, 22, and Luke Atkinson, 23, of Witham, had originally been cleared of blame over the death of Christos Papiris, 17, in a crash.

But the Supreme Court in Cyprus overturned the decision and they were sentenced in their absence, in April.

The men appeared at City of Westminster Magistrates' to fight the extradition.

They were in a car driven by their uncle, Julian Harrington, in Protaras, Cyprus, in 2006 when he hit a moped.

I feel it's only fair that I take proper time to consider all the material that's been put before me District Judge Quentin Purdy

Mr Papiris was knocked off the bike and died. Harrington, also from Witham, is serving a 15-year jail sentence after admitting manslaughter and causing grievous bodily harm.

After hearing evidence from both men, District Judge Quentin Purdy told them: "I genuinely haven't made my mind up about this.

"I don't propose to make a decision now. I feel it's only fair that I take proper time to consider all the material that's been put before me."

He told them to return to the court on 5 September when he will give his judgment. Both men were granted bail.