He killed the dog to dupe police into thinking they were attacked

2023-05-12

Former airhostess and beauty model called as key witness in Athens appeal trial of businessman who murdered his wife and strangled his dog to death

Anagnostopoulos was convicted last year of smothering Caroline Crouch, 19
Sofia Tereschenko describes herself as a campaigning journalist

A former model and air hostess has been called as a key witness to support the appeal case of a pilot accused of murdering his British wife, MailOnline has learned.

Sofia Tereschenko, who now describes herself as a campaigning journalist who has investigated the case, will speak in courts on behalf of helicopter pilot Babis Anagnostopoulos, 34, in his attempt to get his 27-year sentence for the murder reduced.

Anagnostopoulos was convicted last year of smothering Caroline Crouch, 19, as she lay in bed next to their then nine-month old daughter Lydia – which he says was carried out ‘in the heat of the moment’ and ‘not premeditated’.

Tereschenko, who has written several lengthy articles on the case, has been approached by Anagnostopoulos lawyer Alexandros Papaioannides, to appear as one of several witnesses who he says will be vital to the case.

He confirmed to MailOnline, she would be giving evidence but refused to discuss exactly what she would say in the hearing which resumes at Athens Appeal Court later this month.

Sofia Tereschenko has been called as a key witness to support the appeal case of a pilot accused of murdering his British wife

She will speak in courts on behalf of helicopter pilot Babis Anagnostopoulos, 34, in his attempt to get his 27-year sentence for the murder reduced

Tereschenko, who has written several lengthy articles on the case

But in her blogs, Sofia gives a passionate and bizarre defence of Anagnostopoulos, despite the overwhelming evidence against him from his court case last May – a year after the murder in the upmarket Athens suburb where the couple lived.

Ukrainian born Sofia, 34, who also says she is an animal rights activist and political scientist, has been following the case since it started and was the only defence witness in court earlier this week for the start of the appeal.

In her highly emotional blogs she says she has ‘studied the case at great length’ and concluded that Anagnostopoulos was ‘a man who needs our help’ and that ‘people should try and listen to him’.

Twisted Anagnostopoulos went to elaborate lengths to cover up his sickening crime – even strangling the family’s pet husky dog Roxy with his bare hands.

He killed the dog to dupe police into thinking the couple were attacked by burglars and then tied himself up after smothering Caroline as she slept.

For six weeks he shed crocodile tears, conning Caroline’s parents Liverpool born David and Susan and the police before he was finally arrested as he left his wife’s funeral.

Detectives cracked the case when a technical expert discovered data on Caroline’s smartwatch didn’t tally with the alibi Anagnostopoulos had invented and he confessed to the killing.

Babis Anagnostopoulos was convicted last year of smothering Caroline Crouch, 19, as she lay in bed next to their then nine-month old daughter Lydia – which he says was carried out ‘in the heat of the moment’ and ‘not premeditated’

Besides Tereschenko, he has also called his own parents and wants Caroline’s parents David and Susan to testify on his behalf

He killed the dog to dupe police into thinking the couple were attacked by burglars and then tied himself up after smothering Caroline (right) as she slept

She has been approached by Anagnostopoulos lawyer Alexandros Papaioannides, to appear as one of several witnesses who he says will be vital to the case

However, in her blog, Tereschenko says:’ Why hasn’t anyone questioned the fact that Babis had no scratches on his hands if he killed his dog the way it is described ?

‘Every pet owner knows how difficult and almost impossible it is to hurt any animal without consequences to their own body.

‘Also, why has no DNA from Babis been found on Caroline’s body or at the murder scene ? Why hasn’t more been made of Caroline’s mood swings and violent temper and that she attacked him ?’

She went on:’ Babis must not be deprived of his parental rights, and must not be sent to prison for a life sentence. It is inhuman to take everything away from a person, who has already lost almost everything he had.

‘He lost his wife, his job, his house, his family, his freedom. Isn’t it already too much punishment for one person who cries for help but nobody listens ?

‘I can give you 100 per cent assurance that Babis is not a monster. Let him go and you will see what kind of person he really is.

‘It’s very easy to throw stones at a man and make him fall but it’s harder to give him a hand and help him stand up.’

Key to his appeal, is his claim that he only acted violently because he ‘feared for Lydia’s life’ after a furious row with Caroline, who he had married in 2020, a year before she died.

In her blog, Tereschenko says:’ Why hasn’t anyone questioned the fact that Babis had no scratches on his hands if he killed his dog the way it is described ?’

Besides Tereschenko, he has also called his own parents and wants Caroline’s parents David and Susan to testify on his behalf.

Speaking exclusively to MailOnline, Liverpool born David, 74, a retired engineer, blasted the move and slammed the appeal as a ‘farce’ adding:’ There is no possibility of either myself or Susan attending.

‘Susan’s worst nightmare is to see the killer of her beloved daughter in the flesh. She has never recovered from Caroline’s death, she is a completely changed person and seeing the killer in the flesh would tip her right over the edge.’

It is not clear if under Greek law both can be compelled to attend but MailOnline exclusively revealed last month that Susan has moved to the Philippines where she is from and taken Lydia with her to be raised by family there.

But David told MailOnline:’ If they attempt to call Susan or myself we will both provide medical certificates which will say we are unable to travel due to poor health.

‘The whole show has turned into rather a sick comedy. He was found guilty of premediated murder, it was established that Caroline was asleep. He should get an extra ten years for wasting the court’s time.’

David has put his home on the idyllic Greek island of Alonnisos on the market and hopes to move to the Philippines himself when the sale has gone through.

Earlier this year David also told MailOnline he thought his son-in-law’s attempts to get his sentence shortened were ‘despicable’.

He added:’ The crime committed by the murderer, that of femicide, is a heinous crime that should deserve particularly severe punishment.

‘In my opinion, men who kill their wives, for whatever reason, are the lowest of the low, ranking alongside paedophiles.

‘I think it will be a sad day for women when the murderer of a defenceless woman, who slept with her child, will serve less than his full prison sentence. This man is beyond contempt.’

At the opening of his appeal Anagnostopoulos said:’ I am ashamed of these actions and in no way did I want to hurt my wife.

‘I had nothing to gain. What I loved was lost that day. I am ashamed and I hate myself. I want to say sorry to everyone.’

The case will resume later this month.

Source: Read Full Article