Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
HILLSBOROUGH FIVE ACCUSED IN COURT
Victim’s mum faces ex-cop on disaster charge
THE mother of a Hillsborough victim comes face to face with one of the former police officers accused of lying about the disaster.
Jenni Hicks, whose daughters Vicki, 15, and 19-year-old Sarah were among the 96 Liverpool fans killed at the Sheffield stadium in 1989, was stared at intently by Sir Norman Bettison as he arrived at court yesterday.
The ex-west Yorkshire Chief Constable was one of five men who appeared before magistrates for the first time since being charged in June.
Bettison, 61, of Barnsley, South Yorks, is charged with four offences of misconduct in a public office. They relate to alleged lies he told about his involvement in the tragedy.
Sat alongside him in the glass-panelled dock were former Chief Supt Donald Denton, 79, of Sheffield, and ex-det Chief Insp Alan Foster, 70, from Harrogate, North Yorks.
Each face two charges of doing acts tending and intended to pervert the course of justice.
Solicitor Peter Metcalf, 67, who acted for South Yorkshire police after the disaster, faces the same two allegations, which relate to officers’ statements.
Graham Mackrell, 67, from Stocking Pelham, Herts, is accused of two offences involving the stadium safety certificate and health and safety.
All five spoke only to give their names, ages and addresses during the 25 minute hearing at Warrington magistrates court, Cheshire, watched by around 30 relatives of the dead. No formal pleas were entered and all five were bailed to appear at Preston crown court on September 6.
All the defendants were given unconditional bail by District Judge Arbuthnot, who told them: “You are being sent under various provision to Preston crown court. If you don’t attend there will be a warrant for your arrest and the case will take place without you. I’m sure you will attend.” Among the other relatives in court were Donna and Michelle Miller, sisters of Paul Carlile, 19, who died in the crush at the Leppings Lane end of the stadium, Christine Burke, whose 47-year-old dad Henry was killed, and Louise Brookes, sister of victim Andrew Brookes, 26.
David Duckenfield, 72, of Ferndown, Dorset, who was the match commander at the FA cup tie between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest, was not in court yesterday. He faces 95 counts of gross negligence manslaughter.
But he will not be charged until an application to lift a legal “stay”, imposed after a previous prosecution, is heard by the High Court.
It was put in place to prevent him facing a second manslaughter trial.
Former Chief Supt Duckenfield is not facing a manslaughter charge in relation to Anthony Bland, the 96th victim, who died almost four years after the disaster, aged 22. The law at the time meant no charges could be brought if the death occurred more than a year after the injuries were caused.
Relatives have faced a 28-year fight for justice after fans were blamed for the disaster by police.