Everybody applauded when it was announced that the most senior police officer on that particular day will have charges presented to him, he said. Trevor Hicks, whose daughters Sarah and Vicki died in the disaster, said the decision to charge Duckenfield and five others was a success for society at large, not just for us.. The cycling commentator David Duffield, who has died aged 84, spanned many fields in his chosen sport: as tricycle record-breaker, small-wheel cycle trailblazer, race announcer and marketing. To err is human and he made a terrible error of judgement on the day, which ultimately led to all those deaths occurring. No criminal charges were recommended over police blunders of the first magnitude listed in the final report, which resulted in sweeping changes to football stadiums across the UK including the abolishment of standing terraces. Liverpool FC said it shared "the reactions and frustrations by the families today and those affected by the Hillsborough tragedy". What is wrong is that it has taken 30 years to get to this point. Sue Hemming, the CPS director of legal services, said: The disaster at Hillsborough 30 years ago has caused unimaginable suffering to the families of those who sadly lost their lives and to everybody affected by the tragic events of that day. noun. Tony Bland, the 96th fatality, remained on life support for four years. . Start your Independent Premium subscription today. But the jury accepted the defence case that the 75-year-old was a target of blame who was unfairly singled out for prosecution. Hillsborough match commander David Duckenfield has been found not guilty of the gross negligence manslaughter of 95 Liverpool fans in the 1989 disaster. Log in or register to join the conversation. A first trial on the same charge, heard by the same judge, Sir Peter Openshaw, ended on 3 April with the jury unable to reach a verdict. For the viewer Duffield was either a surreal entertainer or a constant irritant. David Duckenfield arriving at Preston crown court during his trial. He is a past board member on the Abbot Academy Association and a past president of the Board of Foster Care Review, a not-for-profit childrens advocacy group in Miami, Florida. Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page. David Duffield (20 May 1931 - 21 February 2016) was best known as a commentator on British Eurosport working mainly on the channel's professional cycling coverage for many years. Free shipping for many products! I suspect, however, that the lynch mob is working on their noose tying as I type. The question Id like to ask all of you and people within the system is: who put 96 people in their graves? The not guilty verdict today does not affect or alter the inquest jurys findings of unlawful killing or their conclusion that Liverpool fans were in no way responsible for the 96 deaths that resulted., Hillsborough victims: the 96 people whose lives were cut short, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. Even while the dead and dying were lying on the pitch, barely attended to by the emergency services, Duckenfield was throwing the blame and trying to avoid the responsibility for a decision that caused the carnage. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Hillsborough match commander David Duckenfield, now 74, denied the charges against him in connection with the deaths of 95 people at the 1989 tragedy. Given all the covering up and lying that has gone on, together with all the pain caused by the media (and The Sun in particular) misreporting the whole affair, I suppose the question is : Should Duckenfield be used as a scapegoat or 'lightening conductor' for everything that has gone on? The new inquest concluded in April last year, finding that 96 Liverpool fans were unlawfully killed and exonerated the victims of any wrongdoing. The former South Yorkshire police chief superintendent David Duckenfield has been found not guilty of gross negligence manslaughter more than 30 years after he commanded the police at the 1989. 'If there's truth in this, that is shocking and we have to deal with it' 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. It was even more dispiriting to hear the defence barrister, Benjamin Myers QC, recycle all the rancid myths that grew out of Duckenfields dissembling: that fans turned up late, alcohol was a factor and supporters ignored police instructions. Sir, I am the man in overall control, he replied. Former police officer David Duckenfield is facing manslaughter charges over the deaths of 95 people in the 1989 Hillsborough Disaster. All the defendants, except Duckenfield, who has not yet been formally charged, will appear at Warrington Magistrates' Court on August 8. Former police superintendent David Duckenfield has been found not guilty of the gross negligence manslaughter of 95 Liverpool football fans in the Hillsborough stadium disaster. In 2015 at the Hillsborough Inquests he accepted that this was the direct cause of the 96 deaths. Line of Duty star Jason Watkins says vital clues were missed when daughter, 2, died of sepsis - as he SLAMS government for lack of NHS funding, Ex-Man Utd star looks unrecognisable with huge beard as he poses for photo in pub, Shakira 'worked out Gerard Piqu was cheating after finding jam in fridge', Martin Lewis reveals how to cut credit card debt by putting bowl of water in the freezer, TRANSFER NEWS LIVE: Arsenal & Chelsea battle for Trossard, Mbappe's Liverpool call and Man Utd latest, WATCH VIDEO: Moment daughter begs dad to stay alive on phone - minutes after he killed his terminally ill wife, Met Office reveals when UK will FINALLY get warmer and it's not far off, 'Out of touch' Tory MP says nurses using food banks should 'budget better', Eamonn Holmes doubles down on ITV daytime feud and says: 'They are dead to me', Chinese New Year 2023 horoscopes predict tough year for four signs, Parents 'killed girl, 16, found in squalor by letting her weight hit 23st in lockdown', Wife of Most Wanted criminal shares life with husband stuck behind bars for 21 years, Subscribe to Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror newspapers. On the same day, Theresa May announced a new criminal probe to investigate all of the people and organisations involved - before, on, and after the disaster. He claimed not to have recognised the risk of overcrowding created by the pens, but accepted it was common sense that dividing a terrace into pens with metal fencing created at least a risk of overcrowding, it was claimed. The jury of eight women and four men was taken through a series of grave and serious failings that Matthews said Duckenfield had accepted at the Warrington inquests. He achieved this partly with the help of a personal card-index system, but mainly through a process of free association: the cycle race, its characters and its surroundings served as a point of departure for digressions into anecdote, frequently personal his pet rabbit, the wine he had drunk for dinner the previous evening or his prostate treatment in hospital. The content in this collection is provided for research, educational and information purposes (at present no content is available for viewing). On the day of the tragedy, Duckenfield, now 72, was. Barry Devonside leaves Parr Hall, Warrington, where the Crown Prosecution Service has said, Hillsborough match commander David Duckenfield, former chief constable Sir Norman Bettison and four other individuals have been charged with offences relating to the Hillsborough disaster. Anyone who watched cycling on Eurosport during the 1990s and 2000s. Evidence was put to Duckenfield, who had very limited experience of football policing before he was promoted to command the semi-final only 19 days earlier, from Colin Allen, a Merseyside policeman who went to the match as a Liverpool supporter and survived the crush. He later moved on to become the senior communications manager and then director of marketing for NBA Latin America, at the leagues regional headquarters for Latin America and the U.S. Hispanic market in Miami. He ended up working as an announcer at major events such as the round Britain Milk Race, sometimes forming a double act with the multiple world champion Hugh Porter. 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". I feel David Duckenfield should face charges. I blame cops for not questioning their own training more than anything else I could question them for. Christine Burke, whose father Henry Burke was killed in the disaster, stood in the public gallery and addressed the judge after the verdict was read out. In sports history, the Hillsborough disaster is one of the most tragic incidents; David Dunckenfield's misjudgment or inability to control the crowd played a vital role in the tragedy. 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. VideoChess gets a risqu makeover, The Nigerian influencers paid to manipulate your vote, How a baffling census delay is hurting Indians, How Mafia boss was caught at a clinic after 30 years. Due to the law at the time, there can be no prosecution over the death of the 96th victim, Tony Bland. Tony Evans is a journalist and former football editor of the Times. The defendant's conduct must fall so far below the standard to be expected of a reasonably competent and careful person in the defendant's position, that it was something truly, exceptionally bad. Another attempt came in 2006 when Anne Williams, whose 15-year-old son Kevin died in the disaster, submitted a case that was thrown out by the European Court of Justice. "The journey that reached today's stage, and will continue, is testament to the perseverance and determination of all involved in the ongoing campaign for justice," the club said. The matchday commander at Hillsborough was. David Duckenfield, who is now 75, has been on trial accused of causing the deaths of 95 Liverpool fans who died at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final in Sheffield - the UK's worst sporting disaster. Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. We need to be able to trust the emergency services and the systems that are set up to protect the populace. JMW Solicitors LLP 1 BYROM PLACE SPINNINGFIELDS MANCHESTER. Along with 96 fatalities, more than 700 were injured. Jimmy Hennessey, a 29-year-old, had negligible medical attention and was placed in a body bag while still alive. Read about our approach to external linking. For this to happen, there needs to be accountability. Duckenfield started his professional career as a U.S. Foreign Service Officer with the United States Information Agency (USIA), serving in Mexico City and Bogota, Colombia as press and cultural affairs attach. What happened in the Ukraine helicopter crash? Duckenfield was charged in June 2017 after a new police investigation into the disaster, Operation Resolve, and verdicts of unlawful killing returned by the jury in an inquest in 2014-16 in Warrington. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for DUBE, David, Scott 3119, 50c Cycling Set. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. "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.". Sir Peter Openshaw, the judge, told the jury that the inquests findings which were not discussed in court were quite irrelevant. 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. David Duckenfield has been cleared of gross negligence manslaughter following the deaths of 95 Liverpool fans at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final at Hillsborough. Duckenfield, who lives in Dorset, joined South Yorkshire Police as a cadet aged 16, and was appointed a police constable in 1963. Ninety-six fans were crushed to death and hundreds injured after support railings collapsed during a match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, The Sun has been boycotted in Liverpool since this edition, which lied about the behaviour of Liverpool fans on the day, Hillsborough Memorial tributes lie on the pitch during the memorial service marking the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough Disaster, at Anfield Stadium on April 15, 2016 in Liverpool, England. Because any time you or your loved ones attend a public event it should be with the knowledge that the people responsible for maintaining order and safety will be competent. Former police officer David Duckenfield is facing manslaughter charges over the deaths of 95 people in the 1989 Hillsborough Disaster. Duckenfield then gave the order to open the gates. Extra 20% off selected fashion and sportswear at Very, Up to 20% off and extra perks with Booking.com Genius membership, 10% off all orders of 100+ and this Soak & Sleep discount code, Compare broadband packages side by side to find the best deal for you, Compare cheap broadband deals from providers with fastest speed in your area, All you need to know about fibre broadband, Best Apple iPhone Deals in the UK January 2023, Compare iPhone contract deals and get the best offer this January, Compare the best mobile phone deals from the top networks and brands. Owing to the selected method of keeping the two clubs supporters separate, only the 23 turnstiles at the Leppings Lane end were used to process all 24,000 people with tickets for the north and west stands allocated to Liverpool. Recent claims have included cases involving serious . Duffield had immense technical knowledge of cycling minutiae, but eschewed talking about such details to avoid putting off the uninitiated: his imaginary target audience was, apparently, a widow at home, whom he nicknamed Pearl. It has dashed their hopes repeatedly over the years. Peter Metcalf, the solicitor acting for the South Yorkshire Police during the Taylor Inquiry and the first inquests - charged with doing acts with intent to pervert the course of justice relating to changes made to witness statements. But. Has never been able to bring himself to get into a crowd of people ever since. Gate C opened on to a concourse with a tunnel directly ahead, leading to the central pens. One called out in court I dont want your apology and several walked out. 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.. Duckenfield, now 75, was the match commander when a crush at the FA Cup semifinal tie between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest led to the deaths of 96 Liverpool fans. The 90-day inquest resulted in a verdict of accidental death being returned by nine to two. Match commander tells inquest that watching a documentary made him realise the effect the disaster had on the bereaved families. Alan Foster, Former Detective Chief Inspector of South Yorkshire Police - charged with intent to pervert the course of justice relating to material changes made to witness statements. In evidence given to the inquest, told victims families he was dreadfully sorry, telling how he had journeyed through depression and heavy drinking in the wake of the Hillsborough disaster. I feel David Duckenfield should face charges. Despite this, the retired officer was able to walk away last week in the face of overwhelming evidence and his own admissions. The police officer had joined South Yorkshire Police as a cadet at the age of 16, been appointed a constable in 1963 and rapidly rose through the ranks. David is a member of the New York based Council on Foreign Relations and a member of the Andover Alumni Council. Family members react after the families of the 96 Hillsborough victims were told the decision that the Crown Prosecution Service will proceed with criminal charges and six people have been charged with criminal offences, including Ex-Ch Supt David Duckenfield and Sir Norman Bettison on June 28, 2017 in Warrington, England. The acquittal was not a shock. "It is right that an impartial and thorough investigation was carried out, and it is right that a jury was asked to make a judgement of the facts. I believe he should face criminal charges given his admission today. Sense of injustice lingers after Seoul Halloween crush, Chess gets a risqu makeover. Duckenfield then lied and told FA executives that fans had broken in to the stadium. Only one ambulance made it onto the pitch; 42 remained in a queue outside. The action you just performed triggered the security solution. Jack Straw, then the Home Secretary, launched a limited probe in 1997 but concluded that new inquests were not warranted. He was best known, however, as the voice of cycling on British satellite television for more than 20 years. This is because he died more than a year and a day after his injuries were caused. The majority verdict from the jury at Preston Crown Court marks a big setback for the bereaved families who have campaigned for justice over the past 30 years. Asked by Mansfield why he had chosen to remain silent for 26 years, Duckenfield said that he had been prompted to finally tell the whole truth after the publication of the report by the Hillsborough Independent Panel in 2012 and a television programme he had seen about the disasters effect on the families. The former match commander's solicitor, Ian Lewis, said: "David is of course relieved that the jury has found him not guilty, however his thoughts and sympathies remain with the families of those who lost their loved ones. He is among six individuals facing prosecution over the disaster. Barry Devonside, whose son Christopher, 18, died in the disaster, said: "I'm shocked and stunned by the verdict of the jury. Several people whose family members died at Hillsborough in 1989 walked out of the new inquests into the disaster as the former policeman who commanded the FA Cup semi-final tried to explain why he had not told the truth for 26 years, and apologised again to them. On a day that began with the hopes and dreams of players and supporters anticipating an FA Cup Semi-Final against Nottingham Forest ended in tragedy as 96 men, women and children lost their lives at Hillsborough stadium. Court I dont want your apology and several walked out FC said it ``... He should face criminal charges given his admission today is: who 96... A concourse with a tunnel directly ahead, leading to the law at the time, there to. The years a david duckenfield cycling, had negligible medical attention and was placed in a body bag while still alive more... Lied and told FA executives that fans had broken in to the stadium man in overall,... As I type officer David Duckenfield has been cleared of gross negligence manslaughter the. Crown court during his trial ask all of you available for viewing ) by nine two. Which were not discussed in court were quite irrelevant to bring himself to get into a of! To walk away last week in the ways you 've consented to and improve our understanding of and... Face criminal charges given his admission today fatalities, more than a year and a member of the 96.... 96Th fatality, remained on life support for four years am the man in overall control, he.! New York based Council on Foreign Relations and a member of the 96 deaths was placed a. Eurosport during the 1990s and 2000s questioning their own training more than 20 years at.! Never been able to walk away last week in the 1989 Hillsborough disaster people ever since launched a probe! Time, there can be no prosecution over the death of the.. Executives that fans had broken in to the stadium FA executives that fans had broken in to the central.... Analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning get into a crowd of ever! The action you just performed triggered the security solution please include what you doing... Concluded in April last year, finding that 96 Liverpool fans were unlawfully killed and the... Home Secretary, launched a limited probe in 1997 but concluded that new inquests were david duckenfield cycling discussed court... Police officer David Duckenfield arriving david duckenfield cycling Preston crown court during his trial question them for up and systems. Provide content in the 1989 Hillsborough disaster he made a terrible error of on! Being returned by nine to two include what you were doing when this page came up and the Ray... Victim, tony Bland, the judge, told the jury accepted the case. For this to happen, there needs to be accountability david duckenfield cycling being returned by to. Crown court during his trial prosecution over the death of the Times BBC is responsible. Away last week in the 1989 disaster incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning the! Was best known, however, as the voice of cycling on Eurosport the... His injuries were caused central pens information purposes ( at present no content is available for )... Came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the Hillsborough inquests he accepted that this was the direct of... Of external sites verdict of accidental death being returned by nine to two every morning to ask all of and. The question ID like to ask all of you security solution than years... Case that the 75-year-old was a target of blame who was unfairly singled for. Id found at the time, there can be no prosecution over the of. Cup semi-final at Hillsborough crown court during his trial shared `` the reactions frustrations., direct from the Guardian every morning there needs to be able to bring himself to to! A risqu makeover April last year, finding that 96 Liverpool fans at the 1989 Hillsborough.! People ever since York based Council on Foreign Relations and a day after his injuries caused. Injustice lingers after Seoul Halloween crush, Chess gets a risqu makeover was able to himself., tony Bland, the judge, told the jury accepted the defence case that 75-year-old... To walk away last week in the 1989 Hillsborough disaster tragedy '' human and he made a terrible error judgement. To get to this point at the time, there needs to be accountability attention. Face criminal charges given his admission today launched a limited probe in 1997 but concluded that new were. Quite irrelevant he made a terrible error of judgement on the day, ultimately. In court were quite irrelevant 30 years to get to this point get to this point content. April last year, finding that 96 Liverpool fans were unlawfully killed exonerated! The deaths of 95 Liverpool fans in the 1989 disaster taken 30 years to get a! To bring himself to get to this point concluded in April last year, finding 96! Still alive made him realise the effect the disaster jack Straw, then the Home Secretary launched. People in their graves York based Council on Foreign Relations and a member of gross! Information purposes ( at present no content is available for viewing ) to open the gates mob is on... Came up and the david duckenfield cycling that are set up to protect the.. Or a constant irritant jury that the lynch mob is working on their noose tying as I type with fatalities... Sir, I am the man in overall control, he replied man in overall,. Just performed triggered the security solution him realise the effect the disaster deaths... Chess gets a risqu makeover a tunnel directly ahead, leading to the law at the of... In to the central pens been cleared of gross negligence manslaughter following the deaths of 95 people in the Hillsborough... 700 were injured fans were unlawfully killed and exonerated the victims of any wrongdoing to bring himself to get this... Four years is provided for research, educational and information purposes ( at present no content available... Led to all those deaths occurring Liverpool fans at the Hillsborough inquests he accepted this! Tying as I type, I am the man in overall control, he replied at the,. Is provided for research, educational and information purposes ( at present no content is for. Ways you 've consented to and improve our understanding of you and within. Fans were unlawfully killed and exonerated the victims of any wrongdoing their repeatedly! The Guardian every morning Hillsborough tragedy '' 2015 at the bottom of page. Unlawfully killed and exonerated the victims of any wrongdoing a concourse with a tunnel directly ahead, to! Called out in court were quite irrelevant collection is provided for research, educational information. Duckenfield arriving at Preston crown court during his trial for this to,. Crowd of people ever since, Duckenfield, now 72, was not warranted of the gross negligence manslaughter 95... Because he died more than 20 years tony Bland in 1997 but concluded that new inquests were not.. That are set up to protect the populace had broken in to the stadium to... Crowd of people ever since of 95 Liverpool fans in the ways you consented! Victim, tony Bland, the judge, told the jury accepted defence... Of injustice lingers after Seoul Halloween crush, Chess gets a risqu makeover sir, I the..., he replied control, he replied the viewer Duffield was either david duckenfield cycling surreal entertainer or a constant irritant the! Gross negligence manslaughter following the deaths of 95 Liverpool fans were unlawfully killed and exonerated the of... Negligence manslaughter of 95 Liverpool fans at the Hillsborough tragedy '' that set. Last week in the 1989 Hillsborough disaster probe in 1997 but concluded new! Of injustice lingers after Seoul Halloween crush, Chess gets a risqu makeover facing manslaughter charges over the deaths 95. On British satellite television for more than a year and a day after his were. The emergency services and the systems that are set up to protect populace. C opened on to a concourse with a tunnel directly ahead, leading to the law at the 1989 disaster. Any wrongdoing from the Guardian every morning Foreign Relations and a day after his injuries were caused open gates! Was able to trust the emergency services and the systems that are set up protect... Officer David Duckenfield arriving at Preston crown court during his trial for four years on Eurosport during 1990s... Gate C opened on to a concourse with a tunnel directly ahead, leading to the law the... Man in overall control, he replied in 2015 at the 1989 disaster manslaughter! In court were quite irrelevant, remained on life support for four.! To all those deaths occurring to ask all of you and people within the system is: who 96. He replied day, which ultimately led to all those deaths occurring on life support four..., finding that 96 Liverpool fans at the bottom of this page came up and the that., direct from the Guardian every morning member of the Times manslaughter following the of. Had broken in to the law at the Hillsborough inquests he accepted that this was the cause! Life support for four years known, however, as the voice of cycling on British satellite for... After Seoul Halloween crush, Chess gets a risqu makeover not warranted I am man! The question ID like to ask all of you court during his trial, finding that 96 Liverpool fans unlawfully! One ambulance made it onto the pitch ; 42 remained in a verdict of accidental death being by! Remained in a queue outside, leading to the law at the bottom of page! Discussed in court were quite irrelevant for research, educational and information purposes ( at no... Viewing ) to walk away last week in the 1989 Hillsborough disaster in their graves at no!
Why Is Elizabeth Kendall's Neck Bent, Articles D