The inquest into the deaths of Bobby and Christi Shepherd has begun at Wakefield Coroners’ Court. Aged six and seven, the two children were on holiday with their father and his partner on the Greek Island of Corfu when they died from carbon monoxide poisoning in their apartment.
The story has been reported widely in the media, including by the BBC, the Guardian, The Telegraph and The Times.
The Coroner opened the inquest by stating that:
“What should have been a very happy and relaxed half-term break became the most appalling tragedy.”
The inquest has heard from engineer Thomas Magner how work carried out on the boiler in the apartment had been “bodged and botched”, which led to high levels of carbon monoxide filling the apartment. Furthermore, the safety device on the boiler had been deliberately short-circuited, resulting in the boiler failing to turn itself off.
The family of the children is being represented by Leslie Thomas QC, who is instructed by Gemma Vine of Lester Morrill Solicitors.
Leslie is a member of the Garden Court Chambers Inquests Team.
