A year on, a British man and his son are still waiting to hear if they will face a manslaughter charge after a burglar died as they grappled with him in their Portuguese home.
Trevor Taylor, 61, and his son Scott, 31, were questioned by police as suspects and, if charged and convicted of negligent homicide, could face up to five years in jail.
Mr Taylor, a retired businessman, said this week: "I haven't heard anything at all. I've got no news, I'm sorry."
He said he had no idea when he would be told the outcome of the investigation.
A British couple who chased the same burglar from their Vilamoura holiday home as he stole their money a fortnight earlier said they could not understand the delay.
Sue Harbertson, from Whitley Bay, said: "The Taylors didn't set out to harm him intentionally. They were protecting themselves and their property. It's just unfortunate this happened but it wouldn't have happened if he wasn't there breaking the law."
Her husband John Harbertson, a retired miner, said: "You're not allowed to say it, but this was a tragedy, as much a tragedy for the English family. They've had to go through this for a year now."
At Loule court Pedro Rodrigues de Figueiredo, the deputy prosecutor in charge of the investigation, let me read a redacted version of the 350-page case file, but I had to agree not to divulge any detail.
It will be his decision either to charge one or both of the Taylors, or tell them there will be no further action. He would not say how long he will take to make up his mind.
The autopsy report and toxicology tests took many months to complete, but were eventually delivered in May. The police investigation was wrapped up in July.
Portuguese criminal lawyer Joao Centeno said: "This could take a long time, justice is slow here. It would be faster only if the Government invested more, particularly in the jobs to carry out autopsies, reports and evaluations that are needed to help investigations.
"There are not enough people providing those legal services and that can hold up investigations for years.
"Only in urgent cases, where suspects are kept in jail, is justice quicker."
He said Portuguese legislation on self defence was similar to British law and the issue of "excessive force" would be the crucial factor.
It is understood the Taylors, who suffered minor injuries, have told the prosecutor they were trying only to restrain the burglar, Paulo Brito, a local man with previous convictions.
When police arrived at the villa they found Brito, 35, lying on his back in the kitchen with his hands bound and a foot tied to a table leg.
Trevor Taylor was on top of him and his son Scott had him in a neck lock. He appeared lifeless and died as paramedics tried to revive him. The initial cause of death was asphyxia.
Brito's sister Ana said her brother had had a "troubled past", but on the night of the burglary was not armed and did not deserve to die.
She has seen the autopsy report and says it shows her brother died "very violently".
The Taylors, who are Portuguese residents, are under few restrictions but must tell prosecutors if they plan to leave their home for more than five nights.
No comments:
Post a Comment