AN Essex man jailed for manslaughter in Cyprus has finally been given a chance to appeal against his sentence. Julian Harrington is serving 15 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to his involvement in a road crash on the island in August last year.

AN Essex man jailed for manslaughter in Cyprus has finally been given a chance to appeal against his sentence.

Julian Harrington is serving 15 years in prison after he pleaded guilty to his involvement in a road crash on the island in August last year.

Mr Harrington's appeal went ahead at Nicosia Supreme Court and he could hear within a week whether the sentence has been cut.

His fiancée Maxine Scrivener was at the court to support Mr Harrington.

The couple's lawyer outlined the appeal, arguing Mr Harrington's 15-year term was “manifestly excessive” compared to sentences handed to Cypriots for similar offences.

Mr Harrington has been in jail since the collision between the hire car he was driving and a moped which led to the death of the 17-year-old moped passenger.

The 40-year-old from Witham, who had been on the island to arrange his wedding, admitted to the manslaughter of Christos Papiris , to ensure his nephews, who were passengers in his car, would be acquitted of manslaughter.

Yesterday was the third time the appeal had been listed and Mr Harrington's brother, Nigel, said the family were relieved it had finally gone ahead.

He said: “We are hoping the sentence will come down to eight years from the appeal.

“I have spoken to Maxine and she said it was nice to have got on with it at last - Julian did not speak during the hearing, but was there to hear the appeal - it was his day.

“We are hoping some good news will come through for Julian in time for it to be a nice Christmas present.”

He said the family were also looking forward to next year's Cypriot elections because the incoming president traditionally knocks a quarter of the term from prisoners' sentences.

Mr Harrington is being supported by the campaign group Fair Trials Abroad.

He and his fiancé met at infant school and have a 17-year-old daughter Jazmin and were planning their wedding when the accident happened on the road between Ayia Napia and Protaras.

It is thought the decision will be given within the next three weeks.