Charlotte Davies (2007) represented both the Chief Constable of Devon & Cornwall Police and the Chief Constable of Dorset Police at an inquest into the death of a man who had initially been wanted by police for serious domestic offences.
Upon learning that he was to be arrested, the man made off in a vehicle, crossing the border from Devon into Dorset. The vehicle was later subject to a police pursuit which included physical contact between his vehicle and an armed response police vehicle. He was able to flee the scene and his vehicle was later found crashed near farm buildings. The man's body was found the following day in shallow water concealed by dense overgrowth approximately500 metres from his vehicle. His cause of death was recorded as being a result of an overdose of both prescribed and unprescribed medication.
The Area Coroner for Bournemouth, Brendan Allen, heard evidence from officers from both forces over the course of two days. The inquest focussed on statements made by the deceased to his wife suggesting that he intended to take his own life, and further focussed on the timing of regrading him from being an individual wanted for arrest, to a high-risk missing person.
In his findings the coroner found that Article 2 was not engaged because although he was satisfied that there was a real and immediate risk to life as a result of the statements made to his wife, both forces had taken appropriate steps to locate him. In the initial stages, Devon & Cornwall Police had deployed numerous officers to the scene, as well as use of a helicopter and ANPR. After his vehicle had been found abandoned, Dorset Police utilised the dog unit and drones, as well appointing a specialist Lost Person Search Manager. There was no evidence that there was anything either force could have done to locate him sooner or indeed that he would have been found alive in any event.
The coroner recorded a short narrative conclusion that the deceased died of a drug overdose but that his intention in doing so remained unclear.
Charlotte was instructed by Oliver Joy, Devon & Cornwall Police Legal Services (jointly instructed for both forces).
Charlotte has has a specialist inquest practice and has appeared in numerous multi-day inquests representing all types ofinterested parties, including Article 2 and jury inquests. She has appeared in a number of inquests reported in the national press, including those involving Leading Counsel.
If you wish to discuss anything in this article or you want to instruct Charlotte you can contact her clerk on jamie@kbgchambers.co.uk.
