A speedboat driver responsible for the death of a British millionairess swimming off a Greek island has escaped prison. Claire Glatman, a 60-year-old from North Yorkshire, was fatally injured by a motorboat’s propellers just 20 meters from the shore of Corfu in August 2020.
On Tuesday, Charalampos Karbouris, 51, was convicted of neglect manslaughter by Corfu’s Three-Member Court of Misdemeanours. The court sentenced him to three years in jail, but the term was suspended for three years, meaning he will not serve time unless he reoffends. Karbouris, a local painter and decorator, was operating the speedboat—named Spiderman—when it struck Glatman, a mother of four, as she swam near Avlaki Beach in northeast Corfu, close to her family’s villa.
Karbouris had denied driving the boat, insisting that a group of young people were in control at the time of the incident. However, the court rejected his claims, relying on testimony from four witnesses—three of whom were on a nearby vessel—and CCTV footage that contradicted his story.
Claire Glatman was the wife of property tycoon Mark Glatman, 68, with whom she had four children: Alexandra, Sam, Victoria, and Harry. Following the verdict, the family expressed relief at the conviction but criticized Karbouris for refusing to accept responsibility. In a statement, they said his actions had prolonged their pain and delayed closure, accusing him of exploiting their “good nature” and obstructing the investigation by attempting to shift blame onto innocent parties, including young adults who witnessed the tragedy.
The Greek coastguard reported that Glatman’s body showed clear evidence of propeller injuries. A post-mortem examination later confirmed her death resulted from severe bleeding and multiple wounds. Coroner Ioannis Aivatidis noted that although Glatman survived briefly after the impact, her injuries were too catastrophic for any resuscitation attempt to succeed. Eyewitnesses reported seeing her waving for help in the water moments after being struck.
Glatman, an experienced swimmer, was reportedly in the sea with a friend who narrowly avoided the boat. She was a frequent visitor to Corfu, where she and her husband owned a villa, and was well-liked in the local community, according to Greek broadcaster ERT. The couple, who met on the island 30 years ago, split their time between Corfu, a £3million townhouse in London’s Knightsbridge, and Well Hall, their expansive property near Bedale, North Yorkshire, complete with a swimming pool and tennis courts.
The family’s statement thanked the court for its decision and praised the respect shown for their grief. Meanwhile, Karbouris, who did not attend the hearing and was represented by his lawyer, was said to have “hindered authorities” and caused further distress by delaying justice.
In Glatman’s home village of Well, residents mourned the loss of a “beautiful soul.” A neighbor described her as friendly and youthful, while another villager, reflecting on a recent scarecrow festival, said her death had cast a shadow over the community. “What a horrible thing to happen,” they added. “My thoughts are with Mark and the rest of the family.”