Fatal water bike trial date set

Hannah Sutton was visiting her mother in Cyprus

The trial of two men on charges after a teenager died in a water bike accident in Cyprus will start in October.

Christakis Ioannou and Aristos Ionnau, appeared at Limassol District Court on Monday.

The trial follows the death of north Wales school student Hannah Sutton at a resort in August.

The teenager, from Cheshire, was killed when boyfriend James Dudley - also a pupil at Rydal Penrhos School in Colwyn Bay - lost control of his machine.

Ms Sutton, 16, and her 17-year-old boyfriend had hired the machines during a holiday in the resort of Pissouri on 2 August, 2005.

Following her death, the two men are charged with giving a sports vehicle to someone without a proper licence.

James Dudley has been dealt with by the courts in Cyprus

Aristos Ionnau is also charged with committing a dangerous act without taking the necessary precautions which led to Hannah Sutton's death.

The men have pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

The case was adjourned until 14 April by Judge Lia Markou who made a ruling for it to begin on 13 October.

The trial will see 15 witnesses called - including Hannah Sutton's mother Lynne, who lived on the island where she worked as a teacher.

James Dudley from Colwyn Bay, has already gone before the courts in Cyprus where he admitted causing his girlfriend's death through want of precaution due to recklessness or negligence.

He also pleaded guilty to two further charges relating to riding the water-bike at the age of 16, when the minimum age in Cyprus is 18, and doing so without a licence or completing the necessary official forms.

Limassol district court fined him 1,250 CYP over the death and 500 CYP for driving the water bike without a licence. (£2,113).

Mr Dudley's lawyer told the judge at his hearing that his client would never forgive himself for ending the life of his girlfriend.

In January following an inquest into Ms Sutton's death, South Manchester Coroner John Pollard recorded a verdict of accidental death.

He said he would also write to the Foreign Office about warning travellers about the dangers of hiring water bikes.