Hillsborough trial will end over 30 years after disaster
Families’ dismay over timetable
THE trials of six men accused over Hillsborough will not end until 2019 – after the 30th anniversary of the stadium tragedy.
Victims’ families groaned as the provisional timetable was outlined yesterday when five of the men stood in the dock at Preston crown court for a pre-trial hearing.
All will try to get their cases thrown out due to “delay and prejudicial publicity”.
Match commander David Duckenfield, 72, who faces 95 counts of gross negligence manslaughter was missing.
He cannot be formally charged unless a judge lifts a “stay” on prosecution imposed in 2000 after a jury failed to reach a verdict in a manslaughter case. His trial, and that of Graham Mackrell, 67, ex-Sheffield Wednesday club secretary, on health and safety, would be next September.
Trials of retired police officers Donald Denton, 79, Alan Foster, 70, and force solicitor Peter Metcalf, 67, are due in early 2019 on charges of perverting justice.
Sir Norman Bettison, 61, ex-Chief Constable of West Yorkshire, accused of misconduct in public office, is due to be tried in May 2019. Mr Justice William Davis ruled trials should be at Preston. He said: “Today I simply make a ruling on the appropriate venue.”
Ninety six Liverpool fans died after crushing on the terraces at the stadium in Sheffield on April 15, 1989 at the FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest.