Hillsborough chief and four others face trial over tragedy
THE policeman in charge at Hillsborough stadium at the time of Britain’s worst sporting disaster will face trial in connection with the deaths of 95 football fans, a judge ruled yesterday.
David Duckenfield, 73, will be charged with manslaughter by gross negligence after judge Sir Peter Openshaw lifted a ban on his prosecution.
The former chief superintendent was tried for manslaughter in 2000 following a private prosecution, but the jury failed to reach a verdict and a judge ordered a stay on any future legal action.
Duckenfield was match commander at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest when 96 Liverpool fans were fatally injured in a crush at the Sheffield Wednesday stadium. Sir Peter’s ruling at Preston Crown Court yesterday to lift the stay means
Duckenfield is likely to go on trial in September. The Crown Prosecution Service announced last year that for legal reasons a charge could not be brought in respect of Tony Bland, the 96th victim.
Four other men will also face trial after Sir Peter rejected their lawyers’ applications to have their cases thrown out.
Duckenfield will stand trial alongside former Sheffield Wednesday club secretary Graham Mackrell, 68, who is charged with health and safety offences.
Two other retired South Yorkshire Police officers, Donald Denton, 80, and Alan Foster, 71, plus retired solicitor Peter Metcalf, 68, are due to go on trial in January charged with perverting the course of justice.
Arguments over whether former Merseyside and West Yorkshire chief constable Sir Norman Bettison, 62, can face trial will be heard in August. He has been charged with misconduct in a public office.