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Family of murdered Sittingbourne teacher Carl Davies say the fight continues after man jailed

The family of murdered teacher Carl Davies have said they will not rest until more suspects are brought to justice, after a man was jailed for 15 years.

Carl, a former Isle of Sheppey Academy teacher Sittingbourne Community College teacher, was found dead on the south Indian Ocean island of Reunion almost six years ago.

After a three-day trial in the island’s capital of Saint-Denis last week, Vincent Madouré, 30, was found guilty of the 33-year-old’s murder, but his family say their quest for justice is not yet over.

Carl Davies
Carl Davies

Carl worked on a cargo ship which had docked in the city in November 7, 2011.

According to reports his body was found by a soldier in a crevasse behind some army barracks two days later.

Initially the death was believed to be an accident, but after a post-mortem examination found he had been beaten and stabbed repeatedly the authorities belatedly launched an investigation.

Since his death Carl’s family, who were from Sittingbourne but now live in Scotland, have been fighting an uphill battle to get to the bottom of what happened.

His parents, Andy and Maria, sister Kerrie Stewart and her husband, Joe, flew out to Reunion island to see justice served.

Andy and Maria Davies' son Carl was murdered on the French island Reunion
Andy and Maria Davies' son Carl was murdered on the French island Reunion

Two other men were initially implicated in the case and believed to be members of the same gang as Madouré.

Speaking after the trial, Mrs Stewart said: “We are delighted with the result and do feel justice has been served, but now the fight goes on for us to go after the other two who, we believe, were heavily involved.”

The 36-year-old added: “There is no way one man did this to Carl and disposed of his body. His murder was horrific. There were more people involved, 100%.

“Now Carl’s case will be re-looked at to try to find the others responsible and we will not rest until we find them.”

Kerrie Stewart with her brother Carl Davies
Kerrie Stewart with her brother Carl Davies

On whether she and her family expected the verdict, Mrs Stewart said: “We really thought he was going to get away with it.

“We didn’t think it would go in our favour because it had taken so long to even get to trial, but once we got to the island we realised the amount of work the police had done.

“The evidence against him was overwhelming.”

She added: “This is a small piece of victory in a big puzzle. We’re extremely happy but also so sad at the same time because nothing will bring Carl back.

“We’d like to thank the island of Reunion for the support and compassion shown to us. When they realised who we were, they really were kind.”

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