Hillsborough chief pleads not guilty to manslaughter
♦ David Duckenfield, the Hillsborough match commander, has pleaded not guilty to the manslaughter by gross negligence of 95 Liverpool football supporters.
The former chief superintendent, 74, appeared via video link at Preston Crown Court yesterday.
Mr Duckenfield spoke only to confirm his name and enter his plea.
The names of the 95 men, women and children who died in the crush in the terrace pens of Sheffield Wednesday’s ground at the FA Cup semi-final on April 15 1989 were read out as the charge was put to him.
About 15 family members attended the hearing.
Graham Mackrell, 68, the former Sheffield Wednesday club secretary, pleaded not guilty to one charge of contravening a term or condition of the stadium’s safety certificate and one health and safety offence.
A provisional trial date for both men has been set for Jan 14.