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It has been almost three-and-a-half-years since Carl Davies was murdered, yet his family are still waiting for justice.
The former Royal Marine, who lived in Harrier Drive, Sittingbourne, was killed on the French-administered Indian Ocean island of Reunion on November 9, 2011.
His parents Andy and Maria, from Hollingbourne, were initially told their son had died after falling into a ravine, but a week later they received the shocking news he had been murdered.
He had been working as a security guard on a ship which had berthed there.
He had previously worked as a senior teacher at Sittingbourne Community College and the Isle of Sheppey Academy. Four people were charged in connection with his death in 2013 but the court case is yet to be heard, much to his family’s frustration.
Mr Davies, 56, said: “We’re still waiting. Nobody believes three years on we’d still be waiting to get justice for our boy. We keep pestering our lawyer as we’ve got one based on the island.
“He keeps going to the court and he’s kept up to date, but it’s so complex and involved and there are so many people and so many watching it, they want to get it right.
“It’s their system and they’re not going to be rushed, as they’ve shown everybody. It’s disappointing and frustrating.”
Carl’s sister Kerrie Stewart, her husband Joe and their two children moved from Scotland back to Sittingbourne in 2013 to be closer to her mum and dad.
But it has become too painful for her to remain here. Mr Davies said: “Kerrie is moving back to Scotland soon. It’s too much for her, there’s too many memories and we’re going to sell up and move with her.
“We’ve been thinking about it for a while and we wanted to go after the trial, but still there’s been no trial and we can’t wait forever.
“Our lives are on hold really. We’ve even stopped going to Sittingbourne now because it’s too much.
"We’ve lost our identity, we’re the couple whose son was murdered. People ask if there’s any update and because it’s always no we get the impression people think we’re not telling the truth. But that’s not the case, there’s nothing we can tell.
“It’s a slow process. Justice is coming. I said it was coming last year, but our lawyer is confident it will happen this year.”
Worried that people have forgotten about Carl, his football team-mates are dedicating a Sunday League cup final to his memory.
Stumble Inn will play against Oak Athletic on May 10. Kick-off will be at 10am at Chatham Town FC’s Maidstone Road ground.
The game will be followed by a barbecue and karaoke at the Stumble Inn, Chalkwell Road, Sittingbourne, from 3pm.
Businesses Standard Scaffolding and Windows 4 Less, both of which are based in Sittingbourne, have sponsored the teams to cover the cost of printing costs for T-shirts which will be worn by all players before and after the match.
The words Justice for Carl, the name of the campaign started by family members shortly after his death, and the 33-year-old’s picture will feature on them.
A banner with the slogan and his image will also appear in the back window of the coach which will transport them to the ground in Medway.
Ben Hollis, 37, manager of Stumble Inn FC, said: “It’s our way of showing he’s not forgotten and raising awareness and getting people thinking about him again.”
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