The final witness that the court heard from on Day One of Fern’s inquest was her father, Kieran. The coroner thanked him for his detailed report with annexes, as part of his investigation. He said he believed the intention was that Kieran would read his statement, that we would hear that in its entirety and […]
After lunch, and a technical delay, court resumed on the afternoon of Day One with Max Newman, Fern’s partner, giving his evidence to the court. The coroner apologised to the court, and Max in particular who he imagined had been gathering his thoughts for the delay, before Max swore an oath. Coroner: Afternoon to you, […]
Before lunch on Day One Fern’s younger sister, Rowan, swore an oath and read her statement to the court. She said she was Fern’s younger sister by three years and that they were close growing up. She told the court that she was still young when Fern became unwell, and their relationship was complicated. She […]
After a short morning break on Day One of Fern’s inquest her mother, Dominique Jowett, gave her evidence to the court. The Senior Coroner Crispin Butler read Dominique’s statement to the court and onto the record, before then calling her to the witness box (which is actually a witness table in this court). In her […]
Day one of Fern’s inquest was opened just after 10am at Beaconsfield Coroners Court by Senior Coroner Crispin Butler. There are seven interested person’s. Fern’s family are represented by Sam Jacobs, instructed by Merry Varney and Caleb Bawdon of Leigh Day and Fern’s partner Max Newman is represented by Freddy Powell instructed by Charlotte Haworth […]
Fern was a quiet, thoughtful, introverted and unassuming individual who was never happier than when she was curled up with a book. Fern loved reading. She found peace and comfort in character’s lives, walking in their shoes, living in other fantasy universes. Fern was an excellent student and loved literature so much her dream was […]
This is the final post recapping the Prevention of Future Deaths Reports issued following the conclusion of inquests into the deaths of autistic and/or learning disabled people in 2023. Stefan Kluibenschadl was just 15 when he died in April 2022. Assistant Coroner for North East Kent, Catherine Wood, concluded “He died as a consequence of […]
There were 16 PFDs following conclusions of inquests relating to autistic people in 2023, and I’ve reviewed some here and others here. This is the next three deaths, with one further post to follow. Liam Bentley was 25 when he died in June 2022. The Senior Coroner for Mid Kent and Medway, Patricia Harding, who […]
This is the second post of three relating to Prevention of Future Death Reports issued in 2023 relating to the deaths of autistic people, the first can be found here. Jessica Eastland Seares was 19 when she died at Millview Hospital in Hove in May 2022. You can read my reporting of Jessie’s inquest, and […]
This weekend I finished reviewing the 11 Prevention of Future Deaths Reports that I had identified were issued to people with a learning disability in 2023. I did that across four blog posts, the first of which included an introduction to what a PFD Report is and when it is issued. You can read those […]