"I think it's fair to say that it is arguably one of the biggest regrets of my life, that I did not foresee where fans would go when they came in through the gates," he said. Although there were other causes, the main reason for the disaster was the failure of police control, it concludes. inquest verdicts brought by six representative families. Yet this was not a doddery septuagenarian being persecuted inappropriately for actions long buried in the past. The finding undermines the decision made by the coroner in the first inquests to limit their scope to events before 3.15pm, and not consider the chaotic medical response after that point. Thirty years later he remained a man who sought, via his lawyers, to do the same thing. This is because he died more than a year and a day after his injuries were caused. For a person to be found guilty of gross negligence manslaughter the prosecution has to prove that he - or she - owed a duty of care to the victim and negligently breached it. The prosecution in the case alleged Duckenfield, 75, had a "personal responsibility" for what happened at the match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest on April 15 1989, where 96 men, women . The former police chief was barely seen or heard of in the immediate aftermath of the disaster. The jury found match commander - former Ch Supt David. ", "It is important to remember that criminal proceedings have a very different purpose to an inquest.". David Duckenfield can finally rest easily. Your IP: David Duckenfield is one of six people to be charged with manslaughter over the deaths resulting from the disaster which claimed the lives of 96 fans. Duckenfield, a retired chief superintendent, 75, denied the gross negligence manslaughter of 95 Liverpool supporters at the FA Cup semi-final on April 15 1989. If things go wrong it is important that investigations explain why and ensure the situation never occurs again. Sir, it is now that I have thought very seriously about the families, Duckenfield said, explaining that the video was the most moving thing he had ever seen, and that it had shown him what it means to a mother to lose a loved one. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. It was not opened on orders from the police control box but by police in the area to eject a fan. VideoAt the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Why Covid lab-leak theory is now being taken seriously, Blackpink lead top stars back on the road in Asia, Exploring the rigging claims in Nigeria's elections, 'Wales is in England' gaffe sparks TikToker's trip, Ukraine war casts shadow over India's G20 ambitions, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. My first thoughts are with the 96 people who died in the Hillsborough disaster, their families, and the thousands of people who have been deeply affected by the events of 15th April 1989. The collapse of the latest Hillsborough trial comes after 30 years of legal battles over responsibility for the disaster, which claimed 96 lives on 15 April 1989. Minutes later Duckenfield ordered for that gate to be opened again. The CPS announces that all charges against Sir Norman Bettison are being dropped because there is insufficient evidence for a realistic chance of a conviction, which is the test for all prosecutions. And a jury of seven women and three men agreed with him when they cleared the 75-year-old of gross negligence manslaughter. More than 2,000 fans entered through exit gate C once it was opened and many headed for the tunnel ahead of them, which led to the central pens where the crush happened. But while his acquittal means he did not fail to a criminal standard, it does not mean he did not fail at all. Hillsborough match commander David Duckenfield has been found not guilty of gross negligence manslaughter of 95 Liverpool supporters. 91.195.53.16 Lord Justice Taylor concludes that the most fans were not drunk, nor even the worse for drink and highlights contributing factors including opening exit gates to allow fans into the ground and failing to delay kick-off. Inquests open in Sheffield, heard by the local coroner, and South Yorkshire Police renews its argument that drunk supporters who arrived late and without tickets contributed to the disaster. But an inquest is not a criminal court, and so it was for another jury to decide whether Mr Duckenfield's mistakes amounted to gross negligence manslaughter. The crown's case was that the Chief Superintendent's failings were so extraordinary that they met that test. At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece. Assistant Commissioner Rob Beckley, who was in overall command of Operation Resolve - the criminal inquiry into the disaster, acknowledged the jury "had a difficult and challenging task". Read about our approach to external linking. 0 . David Duckenfield found not guilty over Hillsborough disaster Hillsborough: Former Sheffield Wednesday club secretary fined 6,500 Sheffield Wednesday FC is also criticised for an inadequate. Home secretary Theresa May orders a new criminal investigation into the disaster, Operation Resolve. And 30 years means many people, especially families, have had to constantly relive their terrible experience. Duckenfield was a public servant who failed in his basic duties to the people he was charged with protecting. Paul Robinson, whose brother Steven was killed in the stadium crush, said: "As a family we would like to thank all those who have supported us over the years in our quest for justice and accountability. I did my very best on the day.". After delivering the verdict the judge, Sir Peter Openshaw thanked the jury before they were dismissed. The former South Yorkshire Police chief. Something went wrong, please try again later. Mansfield said: But this isnt what happened on this day, this wasnt fans turning up late, having got into a drunken state, was it?, Duckenfield responded: I will have to disagree., Pressed on whether he had received any information in the buildup to the match that fans turned up drunk and late, he replied: I cant recall, sir.. Addressing the families in the court he said: It has now dawned on me what it means to you, and I am dreadfully sorry.. announcement by Labour minister Andy Burnham, Hillsborough Independent Panel publishes a report, Theresa May orders a new criminal investigation, The inquest jury concludes that the 96 victims were unlawfully killed. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. DeSantis won't say he's running. A police doctor certified him as "unfit to undertake the duties of a police constable" and diagnosed him with "severe depression and post-traumatic stress disorder". High Court judge Lord Goldring chairs the new inquests in Warrington, which last more than two years and becomes the longest jury case in British legal history. Minimal treatment would have saved many of the victims. He vomited inside the bag before he died. It is true the same stadium exit gate he ordered to be opened at 2.52pm opened minutes earlier without his instruction. 2023 BBC. There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase, a SQL command or malformed data. The acquittal of David Duckenfield is the latest twist in the history of a disaster which has lasted 30 years. david duckenfield cycling. because Duckenfield was acquitted in 2019 of a charge of gross negligence manslaughter, . Get email updates with the day's biggest stories. Due to the law at the time, there can be no prosecution over the death of the 96th victim, Tony Bland. David Duckenfield had been appointed Chief Superintendent of the South Yorkshire Police just 19 days before the disaster. But his acquittal does not undo his shameful lie. "We have immense admiration for the Hillsborough families, survivors and campaigners for what they have achieved and our thoughts remain with them and those 96 Liverpool supporters who went to watch their team and never came home.". Solicitor Peter Metcalf, former chief superintendent Donald Denton and former detective chief inspector Alan Foster are all charged with perverting the course of justice. This 1992 family photo shows, from left, her son Thomas . And despite the words of regret expressed in 2015, this included the resurrection of shameless claims about ticketless and late supporters. Ben Myers QC made the claim in his. ", To the families he added: "It has now dawned on me what it means to you, and I am dreadfully sorry. Duckenfield responded: Sir, I was not outside the turnstiles, but I am not in a position to dispute his view.. As fans were dying he suggested they were responsible for the crush that was a consequence of his decision. There has been barely any for those who were mindbogglingly inept at Hillsborough. "I would like to know who is responsible for my father's death because someone is.". South Yorkshire Police match commander, David Duckenfield, is found not guilty of gross negligence manslaughter for the deaths of 95 Liverpool fans, in a retrial, by a majority of 9-1. The then Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) concludes that there is no new evidence as alleged by the HFSG and their legal representatives, and therefore no grounds for reopening the police investigation into the Hillsborough disaster. Inquests into the 96 football fans who died in the 1989 Hillsborough disaster have concluded they were unlawfully killed. The following March, a Home Office meeting consideres material submitted by the Hillsborough Family Support Group (HFSG) calling for a new inquiry but advice to the attorney general says the 3.15pm cut-off had been fully justifiable. A Hillsborough charity music single, a version of He Aint Heavy Hes My Brother, is confirmed as Christmas Number One days later. After Duckenfield mentioned the contribution in the police control room of Bernard Murray, who was a superintendent but has since died, Menon asked him if he was seeking to blame other people. The prosecution of Hillsborough match commander David Duckenfield was "breathtakingly unfair" as he was made to take the blame for others, a jury has heard. Hillsboroughs final victim, 22-year-old Tony Bland, dies after being taken off life support, pushing the death toll up to 96. Mr Duckenfield, of Ferndown, Dorset, was cleared after a seven-week retrial at Preston Crown Court. Attempting to explain his words in Warrington, he said: I was probably deeply ashamed, embarrassed, greatly distressed and I probably didnt want to admit to myself or anyone else, what the situation is.". The court heard the chief superintendent ordered the opening of exit gates at the Leppings Lane end of the ground at 2.52pm, eight minutes before kick-off, after the area outside the turnstiles became dangerously overcrowded. Evelyn Newman Duckenfield, center, died at age 81 of covid-19 on Jan 25. Sir Norman Bettison, the former police chief constable accused of blaming fans for the disaster, has all four criminal charges against him dropped. After three years reviewing 450,000 documents, including those relating to former prime minister Margaret Thatcher and Merseyside Police, the Hillsborough Independent Panel publishes its report and exposes the police campaign to blame Liverpool fans. What's he waiting for? Ms Aspinall, chairwoman of the Hillsborough Family Support Group, thanked those who had supported the families over the past 31 years. But despite it finding that police evidence to the Taylor inquiry had been doctored, home secretary Jack Straw rules out a new inquiry. Hillsborough match commander David Duckenfield has been found not guilty of the gross negligence manslaughter of 95 Liverpool fans in the 1989 disaster. And it was David Duckenfield who gave this impression. For all that time, the families of those who died, and the survivors of the crush, have campaigned for justice and accountability. Christine Burke tearfully spoke from the gallery after the verdict was delivered and said that the 96 were unlawfully killed and she wants to know who is responsible, reports the Liverpool Echo. Video, At the crash site of 'no hope' - BBC reporter in Greece, Record numbers of guide dog volunteers after BBC story. Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Former Hillsborough match commander David Duckenfield at Preston Crown court. Duckenfield then lied and told FA executives that fans had broken in to the stadium. Has been found not guilty of the disaster or phrase, a command. The former police Chief was barely seen or heard of in the 1989 disaster... Judge, Sir Peter Openshaw thanked the jury before they were unlawfully killed exit gate he ordered to opened... Late supporters criminal investigation into the 96 football fans who died in history!, died at age 81 of covid-19 on Jan 25 of seven women and men... 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