Five men charged over the Hillsborough disaster and its aftermath have appeared in crown court.
The men, including ex-South Yorkshire Police (SYP) Ch Insp Sir Norman Bettison, sat in a glass-walled dock at Preston Crown Court in Lancashire.
No formal pleas were given in the hearing but their legal teams have indicated they will deny the charges.
Mr Justice Davis has ruled that any forthcoming trials should be held in Preston.
About 20 family members of the 96 fans who were fatally injured in the 1989 disaster sat yards away in the public gallery, overlooking the court packed with 36 lawyers.
Lawyers for the defendants had argued that future trials should be held outside of the North West of England to ensure the defendants received a fair hearing.
They proposed holding the trials in Leeds, Birmingham or London.
However, Richard Matthews QC, prosecuting, told the judge the prosecution team preferred the trial to go ahead in Preston and the judge agreed.
Former Ch Supt David Duckenfield also faces 95 charges of manslaughter but was not required to attend.
He can not be charged until an application to lift a stay on prosecution – imposed after he was prosecuted privately in 1999 – has been heard at the High Court.
The full list of individuals and charges are:
- Mr Duckenfield faces manslaughter by gross negligence of 95 men, women and children
- Sir Norman faces four charges of misconduct in a public office relating to alleged lies he told in the aftermath about the culpability of fans
- Graham Mackrell, former Sheffield Wednesday club secretary, has pleaded not guilty to two offences involving the stadium safety certificate and a health and safety offence
- Peter Metcalf, who was a solicitor acting for SYP, is charged with perverting the course of Justice, relating to changes to witness statements
- Former Ch Supt Donald Denton and former Det Ch Insp Alan Foster are accused of perverting the course of justice
The CPS brought charges following referrals from the Operation Resolve investigation into the causes of the disaster and the Independent Police Complaints Commission probe.
Source: bbc.co.uk
Be the first to comment