‘Presenter killedself over assault case’

INQUEST: Television presenter Caroline Flack killed herself at home after discovering she was to be prosecuted for assaulting her boyfriend and feared press intrusion, a coroner has ruled.

Coroner Mary Hassell said the fact the alleged assault case was played out in the press was difficult for her and she feared the loss of her career.

TELEVISION PRESENTER Caroline Flack killed herself at home after discovering she was to be prosecuted for assaulting her boyfriend and feared press intrusion, a coroner has ruled.

Coroner Mary Hassell said the fact the alleged assault case was played out in the national press was incredibly difficult for her and she feared the loss of her hard-fought career.

The 40-year-old former Love Island and X Factor host was found at her home in Stoke Newington, north-east London, on February 15, 2020. The previous day she had discovered prosecutors were going to press ahead with the assault charge after she hit Lewis Burton with her phone while he slept over concerns he had been cheating on her.

Friends said she had been expecting it to be dropped after her lawyers applied for the case to be thrown out.

Returning a determination of suicide at Poplar Coroner’s Court yesterday, the coroner said: “Although her general fluctuating [mental] state was a background and important in her death, I find the reason for her taking her life was she now knew she was being prosecuted for certainty and she knew she would face the media, press, publicity – it would all come down upon her.

“To me, that’s it in essence.” Weeping, Flack’s mother Chris Flack told the coroner over videolink: “I totally agree. I think you got it spot on.”

In a statement after the hearing, Mrs Flack hit out at those who “took advantage” of her “loyal” daughter.

She said: “Many people loved and supported Caroline. They know who they are and I thank them all. Many people pretended to love Caroline and took advantage of her kindness – and they know who they are.

“Caroline, you were loved. I love you. Those that would have harmed you can’t touch you now.”

Mrs Flack had accused the police and prosecutors of having it “in for” her daughter, accusing them of taking her to court due to her celebrity status.

Mrs Flack accused prosecutors of wanting to proceed with the case, despite concerns about the 40-year-old’s mental health.

Mrs Flack told deputy chief Crown prosecutor Lisa Ramsarran yesterday: “After listening to you, I feel even more that you had it in for Caroline.

“I now know how Caroline felt and it is not very nice.”

Ms Ramsarran said the code for prosecutors was correctly applied, while both the police and the Crown Prosecution Service said they would not do anything differently.

Flack admitted hitting Mr Burton when officers were called to her home in London in December 2019, saying she did so because she found out he was cheating, the inquest heard.

Prosecutors decided to charge Flack with assault after the Metropolitan Police Inspector on duty at the time contested their initial decision.

The inquest heard prosecutor Kate Weiss reviewed the decision to charge Flack a week after the assault. She cited factors such as the violence involved, that Mr Burton was sleeping, that a caution is rare for a domestic violence case and that police said Flack showed no remorse in interview, when c oming to the conclusion that a caution was not appropriate.

■ To contact the Samaritans, call 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org or visit https://www.samaritans. org/.

Those that would have harmed you can’t touch you now. Caroline Flack’s mother Chris Flack.