British Cypriot to answer to charge of killing dad

A 34 year old British Cypriot will answer charges to killing his father in Oroklini last April on September 4, the Larnaca Criminal Court decided on Thursday.

George Steven Ioannou faces charges of manslaughter. He is accused of stabbing his father, 62, during an argument at their home in Oroklini, in the presence of the grandmother.

Ioannou, who has mental health issues, was due to answer the charge today but his defence lawyer said he was not in a position to do so. The court set a new date for September 4. He remains in custody. 

The incident occurred in the family living room when the father asked the accused whether he had taken his pills. According to the grandmother’s statement, the two started arguing and pushing each other, ending up on the floor. As the woman tried to separate them, she heard her son shout “mum, he has stabbed me.” 

The 34 year old ran off from the house. An ambulance took the father to hospital where he died a few hours later. He had stab wounds to the chest and back.

When the accused was arrested in the early hours the next day, he told police “I stabbed him, I’m going to jail.” 

He then took police to where he had thrown the knife opposite his house. 

After his arrest he was committed by court order to Athalassa Hospital for the Mental Ill for two month and then appeared before Larnaca District Court which referred him to stand trial for manslaughter before the Criminal Court,