THE PRESS ON THE LAGANAS MURDER

Last moments of England mascot knifed to death


Rob, 18, stabbed on hol isle From BRIAN FLYNN and ALEX WEST, in Zante






Published: 14 Jul 2011


HORRIFIC details of a former England football mascot's last moments after he was stabbed on a Greek holiday island emerged tonight.


Robert Sebbage - led on to the Wembley pitch by David Beckham before the Three Lions' 2007 friendly with Brazil - was knifed to death on Zante yesterday after a 3am bust-up with local cabbies.






The 18-year-old, from Tadley, near Basingstoke, Hants, was on the pavement opposite a fast food chain when a fight broke out and he was pierced in the heart with a small flick knife.














Killed ... Robert Sebbage, 18


Witnesses described how he crawled 20 yards along the floor before dying in a pool of his own blood outside a pharmacy.










A passer-by tried to resuscitate him while waiting for an ambulance.






Witnesses say the row erupted after members of a group of Brits shone laser pens into the eyes of taxi driver Stelios Morfis and fellow cabbie Dimosthenes Mylonas and jumped on their cars.






Robert was on a dream holiday with friends after battling a serious bowel disorder.














Treat ... Robert Sebbage meeting Paul Robinson


His heartbroken parents Andrew and Rhian were today flown out to Zante by Thomas Cook which had organised their son's package holiday.






They were being looked after by the British consul and are expected to visit the scene of their son's death tomorrow.






Today there were no floral tributes or poignant messages at the spot where Robert fell.






There was also no crime scene, the blood had been washed from the pavement and business was continuing as usual.






It is changeover day at the resorts today and new holiday seekers would have had no idea that anything had taken place.






A shopkeeper said: "It's back to business. The people here don't want anything damaging trade, we rely on tourists."






A shocked Greek cop told last night how a raging taxi driver "went berserk" and slashed at a group of tourists with a knife.






Tragic Robert was fatally stabbed in the heart, while four pals were treated for wounds.














Holiday isle ... Greece


Cop Dimitris Angeloudis said Robert died when a row over taxi fares escalated into violence.










He said: "Tempers flared, they exchanged insults, then began beating each other. Then the cabbie just lost it.






"There are no words to explain why he went so berserk, but he suddenly produced a knife and, egged on by a friend, lunged out and stabbed whoever he could.










"This has made our worst fears come true. A holidaymaker lost his life over a misunderstanding - over insults and macho behaviour by young men on either side."






Robert was led on to the Wembley pitch by Becks before England's 2007 friendly with Brazil.










The lad, who spent years in and out of hospital battling rare neuropathic bowel disorder, had asked a children's charity to make his football dream come true. He also met goalie Paul Robinson.










Reading FC fan Robert had dreamed of the holiday to Zante with his mates.






Pal Jordan Manson, an 18-year-old mechanic, also suffered deep chest wounds.














Home ... the Sebbage family's house in Hants


He was last night "out of danger" after an emergency op. Steven Granston, 19, Callum Lane, 18, and Sam Champion, 18, were kept in hospital as a precaution with minor injuries. Trip organiser Tim Nicholls, 18, was the only pal unhurt.










He yesterday rang Robert's parents Andrew and Rhian to break the tragic news.










Shaken Rhian said: "I'd spoken to Robert, he was having a fantastic time. They were due back tomorrow."










Jordan's dad Nigel told how two cabbies carrying a knife and wooden baton chased the lads into an alley.










He said: "It's terrible. They are peaceable young men. None of them has ever been in trouble." Stelios Morfis, 21, was charged with premeditated murder.














Injured ... from left, pals Steven Granston, Jordan Manson and Callum Lane


Police said he threw his knife in the sea after the killing, but frogmen found it after he gave its location.














Officers said Morfis - a former bodyguard to the island's mayor - confessed to the killing, but claimed he acted in self defence.














Fellow cabbie Dimosthenes Mylonas, 25, was charged with complicity to commit murder. Both were held in custody last night.






Friends created a Facebook tribute page to Robert. Chloe Prince wrote: "One of the most genuine lads I have ever met. You'll never be forgotten. r.i.p".














Read more: http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/3693943/Former-England-football-mascot-Robert-Sebbage-stabbed-to-death-on-Greek-island-in-bust-up-with-local-cabbies.html#ixzz1Sd1zRzc4