Expert to investigate if dad’s killer should have been behind bars
Coroner dramatically halts inquest
ACORONER is to appoint an independent expert witness to investigate whether a killer should have been in jail at the time he stabbed a young dad to death.
Joanne Kearsley dramatically halted the inquest of Michael Hoolickin so an inquiry can be launched to determine the involvement of his murderer with the probation service.
Just eight months after being freed halfway through a sentence for a brutal attack in which he bit off part of a man’s ear, Timothy Deakin knifed Mr Hoolickin, 27, five times outside a pub in Middleton.
In the months leading up to the murder, Deakin, 22, failed 11 probation service drugs tests.
The coroner said it was ‘astounding’ that the information only came to light on the second day of an inquest into Mr Hoolickin’s death.
Deakin was also given a warning for his behaviour while on probation, which included being arrested on suspicion of possession of cannabis with intent to supply; a driving offence and repeatedly breaching a requirement to be at home for scheduled police visits.
Police intelligence, which was sent to the probation service, also suggested Deakin had been carrying weapons and had been seen with a codefendant – both potential breaches of his licence.
But he was recalled to prison.
Ms Kearsley halted the inquest into Mr Hoolickin’s death so further investigations can be carried out to determine whether or not the probation service should have considered recalling Deakin to never prison at the time he committed the murder.
It came after new evidence was disclosed to her on the second day of the inquest at Rochdale Coroners Court.
It showed Deakin had failed 11 out of 15 probation service drug tests while on licence.
The court was told nine of those tests came back positive for both cocaine and cannabis.
Ms Kearsley will now appoint an independent expert witness to investigate Deakin’s involvement with the probation service.
She also pressed the probation service to confirm precisely how many other offenders in Greater Manchester had committed murder or manslaughter while they were on licence.
Barristers for the service confirmed that in the past three years, there have been two other occasions where this has happened – in the Bury and Oldham and Rochdale probation areas.
As a result, Ms Kearsley could now consider requesting that investigations into those deaths are re-opened.
She also announced her intention to contact GMP Chief Constable Ian Hopkins to request coroners are, in future, always informed if murder or manslaughter offenders have been involved with the probation service.
Ms Kearsley said: “I find it astounding that this [information] has come to light so late. In fairness to everyone, an independent report is warranted.”
Deakin was jailed for at least 27 years at Bolton Crown Court last April after being found guilty of Mr Hoolickin’s murder in October 2016.
Addressing Mr Hoolickin’s family – including his father Garry, a retired footballer with more than 200 appearances for Oldham Athletic – Ms Kearsley said: “I am sorry we have got to this point.
“I am sure you will have wanted to conclude these matters, but if we are going to do this, we do it properly and that’s what’s important. I don’t think any of us would have left here feeling like (we’d done it properly) without taking this step.”
In a statement, Mr Hoolickin’s family said: “This delay is upsetting but our fight for answers won’t stop.
“We heard today in court that there may be other cases in which other families have lost their loved ones in circumstances where other offenders were out on licence and being supervised by the same local probation service.
“Our hearts go out to those families. We have always said that we are doing this for our Michael and to make sure that the same thing does not happen to any other family.”