Huge criminal probes could be complete by year’s end

TWO huge criminal investigations into the Hillsborough disaster and its aftermath could finish by the end of the year.

A police probe is looking at the lead-up to the tragedy and the day of the doomed match itself, and a separate inquiry by watchdog the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) – the biggest in its history – is investigating the alleged cover-up afterwards.

Hundreds of investigators have worked on both inquiries, facing the challenge of hunting for decades-old evidence, some of which was contained on 1980s floppy discs or in waterstained notebooks.

A raft of individuals and organisations could be charged with criminal offences that may include gross negligence manslaughter, misconduct in a public office, perverting the course of justice, perjury, or health and safety breaches.

Any prosecution of match commander David Duckenfield must first overturn the stay on future proceedings against him.

After a jury failed to reach verdicts following a private prosecution at Leeds Crown Court in 2000 for manslaughter brought by the Hillsborough Family Support Group, Mr Justice Hooper stayed proceedings and refused a new hearing. Mr Duckenfield’s lawyers successfully argued a further trial would be “oppressive”.

It is understood that to overturn the stay, Crown lawyers would have to argue for a new prosecution in front of a judge.

Organisations that could face prosecution include Sheffield Wednesday FC, who hosted the game, Sheffield City Council, which issued the ground’s safety certificate, and the Yorkshire Ambulance Service.

The Football Association is also subject to investigation.

Both the police inquiry, Operation Resolve, and the IPCC inquiry are expected to finish in December or January, and once files are passed to prosecutors a decision on charges by the CPS is expected to follow within three to six months.