Family tribute to Welshpool man described as a “joy to be around”

Welshpool father-of-two Robert James Birch, known affectionately by all who knew him as ‘Charlie’, was killed instantly after being hit by a car near the coastal resort of Peyia, in the popular Paphos region, in the early hours of June 24, 2018.

Mr Birch, who was 39, was described as a “whirlwind”, a “joy to be around” and a “brilliant dad” whose daughters Chloe and Milly “meant everything to him” in a touching and powerful tribute read out on behalf of his family at South Wales Central Coroner's Court in Pontypridd on Tuesday, May 3.

Coroner Dr Rachel Knight recorded a narrative verdict as the inquest into Mr Birch’s death concluded.

Georgian national Demetris Ilidzides was jailed for two-and-a-half years in July 2019 for causing Mr Birch’s death by reckless driving – he and Mr Birch had been involved in a physical altercation earlier on in the evening, and it had been widely reported that the death of Mr Birch had been deliberate.

Ilidzides, 35 at the time of the incident, had initially been charged with murder, attempted murder and then manslaughter, but denied those charges before eventually admitting causing death by reckless driving. He was given an additional year in prison for also injuring Mr Birch’s friend William Pritchard, aged 32 at the time, but that sentence was to be served concurrently.

Tributes to Robert James 'Charlie' Birch were left near Welshpool Tourist Information Centre following his death in Cyprus in June 2018

Members of Mr Birch’s family attended Tuesday’s hearing via videolink – including mum Rosemary, sisters Belinda, Jackie and Debbie and former partner Denise Clifford.

A family statement read out in court said: “Charlie was the only boy of Rose and Jim, he was the apple of their eye.

“He grew up living in a small town and enjoyed playing in the woods as a child. He was like a whirlwind, he never sat still. He was a joy to be around and made everyone laugh.

“He enjoyed a good life, spending it with friends and travelling abroad. He was a big rugby fan and an avid Welshman. He loved his family and enjoyed nothing more than a Sunday dinner with mum and dad.

“When he found out he was going to be a dad, he burst with pride, he described it as like winning the lottery. His daughters meant everything to him and he was a brilliant dad.

“He was the family joker who loved to see people happy. He was a kind and generous man who’d help anyone out.”

The family holiday to Cyprus was taken not long after Mr Birch’s father had died following a battle with cancer.

Mr Birch was killed on the second night of the holiday.

“Nobody could have expected the most tragic circumstances that were to occur that night; Charlie’s death ripped a hole in the family,” continued the family statement.

“Words cannot describe how we feel since. We are broken hearted, sad beyond words and unable to come to terms with it.

“Two girls had their dad taken away in the most barbaric circumstances, he was an only son and brother.

“The girls miss their dad every day. We have cried so many tears, the pain is still raw and we miss him desperately. It is a nightmare we hope to wake up from, but we don’t, he is gone. We must struggle each day to understand and somehow move on with our lives.”

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Dr Knight read out evidence obtained from Cypriot police as well as a translation of Ilidzides’ sentencing hearing, in which it was heard the defendant hit Mr Birch as he and Mr Pritchard were walking on a grass verge alongside Peyia Road, near the village of Agios Georgios.

Ilidzides, driving a rented Nissan Note, fled the scene and was later seen driving into the sea and again fleeing on foot.

Evidence from the Cypriot authorities said Mr Birch and Mr Pritchard had been sat next to Ilidzides, who was with a female friend, at a bar when an altercation led to all parties being ejected. A fight was said to have ensued outside, before Mr Birch and Mr Pritchard left. They were later walking on a grass verge when they were struck by the vehicle being driven by Ilidzides, described as a father of three who had financial difficulties.

“Demetris Ilidzides was driving at high speed when he hit the deceased and (Mr Pritchard),” said Dr Knight, reading from the translated court copy.

“He did not stop, despite the shouts of his female passenger. He kept driving and went into the sea, where three citizens helped him. She shouted ‘we killed them’ and was told to stop talking by Mr Ilidzides.”

Police and ambulance crews arrived, with Mr Pritchard taken to Paphos General Hospital, but Mr Birch was declared dead at the scene.

Paphos Criminal Court noted at his sentencing that Ilidzides had been driving at speed, at night and was under the influence of alcohol.

Addressing Mr Birch’s family, Dr Knight added: “I cannot conceive how horrendous it must have been to go on holiday and come back without him and lose him in such a shocking way.”