A fencing contractor who was jailed for manslaughter and grievous bodily harm in Cyprus has been given a date for his appeal to be heard.

Julian Harrington, a father-of-one from Witham, will attend the High Court in Nicosia on September 20. The hearing is set to last for at least two days.

His solicitor, Georgios Georgiou, will argue that the 15-year prison sentence he was handed for manslaughter and grievous bodily harm earlier this year was manifestly excessive.

Three Supreme Court judges will hear arguments from the defence and prosecution at the High Court before adjourning to make their decision, which could take any length of time.

Julian's brother, Nigel Harrington, is seeking reassurance that his brother will be protected, after he was attacked at an earlier court hearing by relatives and friends of Christos Papiris, who died following a collision between his moped and Julian's car.

Nigel Harrington said the family is relieved the appeal will be heard before the presidential elections in February, when the newly-elected leader traditionally reduces all jail terms by about a quarter.

He said his brother - who has been in prison for nearly a year since the fatal collision last August - is now "sitting down and hoping for the best".