Criminal charges brought against 6 people over Hillsborough disaster

Six individuals have been charged with criminal offenses following the police investigation into the Hillsborough disaster of 1989, in which 96 Liverpool fans were killed on the terraces of an FA Cup semi-final.

The most serious charges have been brought against former Chief Superintendent David Duckenfield, who was match commander on the day. Duckenfield has been charged with 95 counts of manslaughter by gross negligence, and the Crown Prosecution Service will allege that:

“Duckenfield’s failures to discharge his personal responsibility were extraordinarily bad and contributed substantially to the deaths of each of those 96 people who so tragically and unnecessarily lost their lives.”

A charge relating to the 96th victim, Anthony Bland, cannot be brought because at the time of the disaster, the law regarding homicide stated that death must occur within a year and a day of the incident. Bland died nearly four years later.

The CPS now has to apply to the High Court to lift a stay on proceedings against Duckenfield that was granted by a judge in 2000.

Three other former South Yorkshire police officers will also face prosecution. Former Chief Constable Norman Bettison has been charged with four offenses of misconduct in public office, relating to “alleged lies about his involvement in the aftermath of Hillsborough and the culpability of fans.”

Former Chief Superintendent Donald Denton and former Detective Chief Inspector Alan Foster have been charged with intending to pervert the course of justice in relation to “material changes” made to witness statements. Peter Metcalf, who acted as solicitor for the police force at the time of the first inquests and the Taylor Inquiry, has also been charged in relation to the same allegations.

Finally, Sheffield Wednesday’s company secretary and safety officer at the time, Graham Mackrell, has been charged with offenses relating to the ground’s safety certificate and other health and safety issues.