**Two tour firm employees have been cleared of manslaughter by negligence after two children died of carbon monoxide poisoning on holiday in Corfu.**Robert Shepherd, six, and his sister Christianne, seven, of Horbury, West Yorkshire, died after a gas leak at their apartment in October 2006.
Thomas Cook workers Richard Carson, 28, and Nicola Gibson, 26, were found not guilty by a court in Corfu on Tuesday.
The children had been on holiday with their father and his partner.
The court heard that carbon monoxide fumes at the Louis Corcyra Beach Hotel in Gouvia leaked into the bungalow from a “decrepit” boiler in an outhouse next door.
Of the 11 people who went on trial over the deaths, three, including the hotel manager, were found guilty of manslaughter by negligence and one of breaching building regulations.
During the trial, lawyers for the hotel staff, boiler maintenance engineers and builders blamed each other for the deaths.
Father in coma
However, the three judges sitting at Corfu Town courthouse were told by Mr Carson’s defence lawyer that his client was a “diligent” and “honourable” young man who had carried out his duties.
Miss Gibson’s lawyer also said it was “unfair” to target her as she was the “last link” in the chain of responsibility.
The children were on a half-term holiday with their father, Neil Shepherd, and his partner, Ruth Beatson, who were both left in a coma as a result of the accident but survived.
Mr Shepherd described how, when his daughter became sick, he went to fetch a carrier bag for her to vomit into.
But he collapsed and woke up in hospital days later to be told his children had died.
The two comatose adults and the bodies of the children had been discovered by a chambermaid.
The court heard expert opinion that there was a “catalogue of failings” in installation and maintenance of the gas boiler.
Retired mechanical engineer Harry Rodgers, who inspected the bungalow, said it was the worst installation he had seen in 50 years.This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.
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