British father being prosecuted after son, two, fell to his death from Cyprus hotel window begs judge to be allowed to fly home for boy's funeral

By SABRINA PENTY, FOREIGN NEWS REPORTER and EIRIAN JANE PROSSER, SENIOR REPORTER Published: 12:33, 1 August 2026 | Updated: 12:33, 1 August 2026 A British man being prosecuted for negligence after his toddler fell to his death at a Cyprus hotel has asked a judge to allow him to travel home for his funeral.   The 37-year-old City banker was charged with causing death by a rash, reckless or dangerous act after his two-year-old son fell from the fourth floor of the King Evelthon Beach Hotel and Resort in Chlorakas, near Paphos.  The father is currently under instruction to remain on the island after surrendering his travel documents.  He appeared at Paphos district court on Friday, where he was told that he would have to wait until next week before hearing whether he will be granted bail to return to the UK for his son's funeral. He will then be required to return to Cyprus in September for the start of the trial. After Friday's hearing, Alexandros Alexandrou, the father's newly appointed lawyer, said: 'This is a humanitarian matter, and we do not expect the court will object to my client going home, back to his wife and family, for the funeral of his son. 'His wife flew back to the UK two days ago with their eldest child, and my client needs to be back with them.  'This case needs to be seen from a humanitarian perspective. At the moment, the only thing that matters to us is for him to reunite with his family and allow him to grieve this tragedy.' The two-year-old boy died after falling from the fourth-floor window while on holiday in Cyprus The family were staying at the all-inclusive King Evelthon Beach Hotel and Resort in Chlorakas  It comes after the man's heartbroken family had called for the Foreign Secretary to intervene so he could return home for the little boy's funeral. A source close to the family told the Daily Mail last night: 'While they fully respect the independence of the Cypriot judicial process, they believe the issue deserves proper attention from the UK Government, and they hope that as new Foreign Secretary, Ed Miliband will support their plight.' The friend added that while they understood the Government cannot interfere with the Cypriot judicial process, they had expected more support in the initial days of the father's arrest.  In the first week of his arrest, the family had received no visit from any UK representatives, including the High Commissioner in Cyprus, who was on holiday at the time. They had expected more help for the father's mental wellbeing as well as accessing legal assistance and speaking with his family. They added: 'Communication improved a week after the arrest, and the family hopes for more active and consistent support. 'The family remains grateful to those individual officials who have engaged with them, but given the exceptional humanitarian circumstances, they hope that the British Government will actively engage with the Cypriot authorities.' Another source close to the family told the Daily Mail: 'The family is already under immense mental strain. The child fell from a fourth-floor window, which is protected by a tall, glass, sliding pane – and very difficult to tell at first glance if it is open or not 'They are worried about the psychological impact remaining in Cyprus will have on the father. This is tearing them apart.' The family, who are from Essex, had been enjoying their first day on holiday when police were called to the five-star hotel at around 6.40pm on Sunday, July 12. The little boy was rushed to hospital after falling 30ft, but was pronounced dead upon arrival. Hours later that night, at around 10pm, his father was arrested and placed in custody. Toxicology reports found a very small quantity of alcohol, equivalent to one or two drinks, in the man's blood, and the court will determine whether this needs to be taken into account. After receiving the report, Attorney General George Savvides decided to press charges for 'causing death by a rash, reckless, or dangerous act or conduct not amounting to culpable negligence'. The man was told he would have to provide the address where he would be staying and report to Paphos Police Station once a week at an agreed day and time. He also had to hand over all contact details. A spokesperson for the Attorney General told the Daily Mail: 'The Attorney General ordered criminal prosecution of the father. 'He will be charged with causing death due to recklessness, among other things. 'The father will be released, yet he will be subject to strict restrictive conditions, which will aim to ensure his presence at all future hearings.' The man had been locked up in custody at Paphos Police Station for more than a week as investigators probed the case. Multiple requests had been made by the family's lawyer Petros Stavrou to allow the man to be released from his cell, even if on strict bail conditions. The family hoped the man would be released so he could be there to tell his five-year-old daughter of her brother's death.