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Tourist family seek £3.7m damages Tourist family seek £3.7m damages
(1 day later)
The family of a holidaymaker who fell to his death from a hotel balcony is to launch a multi-million pound civil case against a Greek doctor.The family of a holidaymaker who fell to his death from a hotel balcony is to launch a multi-million pound civil case against a Greek doctor.
In 2000, Christopher Rochester, 24, from Chester-le-Street, County Durham, fell 40ft (12m) in Faliraki, Rhodes.In 2000, Christopher Rochester, 24, from Chester-le-Street, County Durham, fell 40ft (12m) in Faliraki, Rhodes.
Stergios Pavlidis was convicted of manslaughter by neglect after the tourist was left on a hospital trolley.Stergios Pavlidis was convicted of manslaughter by neglect after the tourist was left on a hospital trolley.
Mr Rochester's family will seek £3.7m damages from Pavlidis and the Andreas Papandreou Hospital.Mr Rochester's family will seek £3.7m damages from Pavlidis and the Andreas Papandreou Hospital.
But the case is likely to be settled for about £150,000 following a "legal bartering process", said the family's lawyer Sotirios Manolaidis.But the case is likely to be settled for about £150,000 following a "legal bartering process", said the family's lawyer Sotirios Manolaidis.
Three doctors, including Pavlidis, were originally found guilty of manslaughter by neglect, but cleared on appeal in 2005.Three doctors, including Pavlidis, were originally found guilty of manslaughter by neglect, but cleared on appeal in 2005.
Mr Rochester's mother and stepfather launched a private prosecution after Greece's High Court ruled the acquittals unsafe.Mr Rochester's mother and stepfather launched a private prosecution after Greece's High Court ruled the acquittals unsafe.
Pam and George Cummings raised almost £10,000 to pay for the case, which was heard before Rhodes magistrates on Wednesday.Pam and George Cummings raised almost £10,000 to pay for the case, which was heard before Rhodes magistrates on Wednesday.
Pavlidis is unlikely to be barred from practising again Pavlidis is unlikely to be barred from practising
Pavlidis was sentenced to 15 months, suspended for three years, while Georgos Karavolias and Mihalis Sokorelos, were acquitted.Pavlidis was sentenced to 15 months, suspended for three years, while Georgos Karavolias and Mihalis Sokorelos, were acquitted.
Durham North MP Kevan Jones has welcomed the court decision.Durham North MP Kevan Jones has welcomed the court decision.
Mr Jones, who supported the family during their seven-year campaign, said: "I pay tribute to Pam Cummings' tenacity and determination to get justice.Mr Jones, who supported the family during their seven-year campaign, said: "I pay tribute to Pam Cummings' tenacity and determination to get justice.
"She should take full credit for what she has achieved. The bottom line is that this young man should not have died."She should take full credit for what she has achieved. The bottom line is that this young man should not have died.
"At last someone has been brought to account for this unnecessary death.""At last someone has been brought to account for this unnecessary death."