H’bro ‘lies’ allegations dropped by the Crown
CHARGES have been dropped against a former chief constable accused of lying about fans in the aftermath of the Hillsborough disaster.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) revealed in a hearing at Preston Crown Court last Tuesday it was discontinuing the case against Norman Bettison because one witness had died and the evidence of two others had changed.
He had been facing four offences of misconduct in a public office, which according to the formal CPS charging statement issued in June 2017 related to telling alleged lies about his involvement in the aftermath of Hillsborough and the culpability of fans.
Mr Bettison had been an inspector at South Yorkshire Police at the time of the disaster.
There are outstanding legal proceedings in respect of five defendants charged in connection with Hillsborough and the CPS has urged tact in not prejudicing those proceedings in responding to Tuesday’s decision.
Families of the deceased are now seeking a review with Margaret Aspinall, Hillsborough Family Support Group chairwoman, citing ‘grave concerns’ among campaigners.
Among the 96 fans who died following the disaster in Sheffield on April 15, 1989, were father and son Thomas Howard Sr, 39, ● and Thomas Howard Jr, 14, and schoolboys Kevin Tyrrell, 15, and Adam Spearritt, 14, all from Runcorn, Peter Thompson, 30, of Widnes, and David Benson, 22, of Penketh.
Sue Hemming, CPS director of legal services, said: “The CPS has a duty to keep all cases under continuing review.
“Since the original decision to charge Norman Bettison in June 2017 there have been a number of significant developments which have affected the available evidence.
“These include changes in the evidence of two witnesses and the death of a third witness.
“Our latest review of the evidence has concluded the collective impact of these developments means there is no longer a realistic prospect of conviction.
“I appreciate this news will be disappointing for the families and the CPS will meet with them in person to explain the decision.
“I would remind all concerned that although criminal proceedings are no longer active against Norman Bettison, there are five other defendants facing charges relating to Hillsborough and each has the right to a fair trial.
“It is therefore extremely important that there should be no reporting, commentary or sharing of information which could in any way prejudice those proceedings.”
Following the decision, a joint statement was issued by Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram, Andy Burnham, Maria Eagle, Alison McGovern and Halton MP Derek Twigg.
It said: “We are disappointed to hear this news and we fully support the decision of the families to seek a review.
“As long-standing supporters of the campaign for justice, our thoughts today are with the bereaved families and survivors of the Hillsborough disaster, still re-living that day and its aftermath almost 30 years on.
“We will continue to support them in any way we can.
“Given the ongoing criminal prosecutions, we have nothing further to add at this time.”