News

Charges dropped against ex-West Yorkshire Police Chief Sir Norman Bettison

  • Posted on

We were disappointed to hear that the Crown Prosecution Service has dropped all criminal charges against Sir Norman Bettison relating to his conduct as a South Yorkshire police Chief Inspector during the Hillsborough tragedy in 1989. The charges were dropped at a hearing on 21 August 2018.

The Guardian has reported that:

"The collapse of the case against Bettison came as a profound disappointment to relatives of the people who were killed in a crush at Hillsborough while supporting Liverpool in the FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest on 15 April 1989. The death toll was 96. Families have long been aggrieved about Bettison's involvement for South Yorkshire police following the disaster; particularly as he went on to become the chief constable at Merseyside in 1998"

We understand that the unwelcome decision has prompted a number of individuals to ask that the decision be reviewed through the Victim's Right to Review scheme.

We as well as our clients believe that justice will only be established through both criminal and civil accountability and we would welcome an independent review of the decision.

Saunders Law -Specialist Legal Advice

Saunders Law has been acting for many of the Hillsborough families for some years and members of the team have previously advised in connection with the Hillsborough Independent Panel and the Hillsborough Inquests. The firm acts as Lead Solicitors in the on-going "Hillsborough Victims' Misfeasance Litigation" arising from claims being brought for misfeasance in public office against the Chief Constables of South Yorkshire and West Midlands Police in relation to the police investigations that followed the Hillsborough tragedy in April 1989.

At Saunders Law, we offer expert legal assistance and representation in all public inquiry cases and we are well-known for our work and thorough approach to complex cases.

For a free, no-obligation, initial discussion of how we may be able to help, please contact us today.

Call us on 02076324300 or make an enquiry online.

    Close

    How can we help?

    Please fill in the form and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can





    We have partnered with Law Share from JMW Solicitors LLP to refer instructions and clients to them, when we are unable to act. By answering yes to this question, you agree that we may pass your details on to Law Share in such circumstances. You are under no obligation to instruct JMW Solicitors LLP after being referred. We may receive a payment from JMW Solicitors LLP further to this referral.