Zander Goss represents Devon and Cornwall Police at inquest

Zander Goss represented Devon & Cornwall Police at a six-day inquest touching upon the death of Michael Newton. The hearing before HM Asst Coroner Deborah Archer was conducted without a jury, following a contest at an earlier pre-inquest review hearing over whether to empanel a jury. The inquest heard live evidence from the deceased’s widow, two Chief Inspectors, an Assistant Chief Constable, a Detective Sergeant, and three of the force’s most senior Human Resources staff members.

Mr Newton was a Devon & Cornwall Police staff member working as a radio supervisor when, in December 2021, he was suspended and placed under a gross misconduct investigation for alleged sexual behaviour in the workplace. Due to Covid and other factors, an investigator was not appointed until almost a month after Mr Newton’s suspension. Whilst suspended he was instructed not to discuss the allegations with work colleagues or potential witnesses, but he came to misunderstand this restriction as a ‘ban’ on communicating at all with anyone from Devon & Cornwall Police, apart from his line manager, welfare officer, trade union representative, and the investigating team. In late March 2022 Mr Newton reviewed a transcript of his misconduct interview and his wife expressed her wish for a temporary separation. Mr Newton tragically hanged himself the next day. Within a few weeks of Mr Newton’s death, it was determined that he would have had no case to answer in respect of the gross misconduct allegations.

After reading copious documentary evidence and hearing much live testimony, the Coroner was able to return a short form conclusion. She recorded death by suicide, contributed to by stress due to an ongoing investigation at work, isolation from work colleagues, and his wife’s recent request for a temporary separation. The Coroner was satisfied that policies had been reviewed and changed since Mr Newton’s death such that it was not necessary to issue a Prevention of Future Deaths Report.

Reporting on the proceedings can be found here.

Zander routinely advises and represents police forces from around the country in inquests, disciplinary proceedings, and civil and public law claims, among other matters.

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Related barristers

Zander Goss

Call 2017

Related areas

Police Law

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