Yesterday I was at Surrey Coroner’s Court for the first day of Mia’s inquest. Mia was 16 when she died, last September, at the Children’s Trust in Tadworth. I will report the evidence we heard in court once the inquest concludes this afternoon, but for now am sharing the pen portrait that her sister, Paige, […]
Three of Fern’s family members, her mother Dominique Jowett (report on her evidence here), father Kieran Foster (report on his evidence here) and sister Rowan Foster (report on her evidence here), gave evidence to the coroner during Fern’s inquest. They also provided a pen portrait of who Fern was. At the end of Fern’s inquest […]
I have already reported the coroner’s conclusion in Fern’s inquest here, but for completeness wanted to also write up his summing up (as far as I am able, it was fast). Senior Coroner Crispin Butler started by thanking those who have assisted the court. He said that he would present his brief summary, which led […]
The final witness to give evidence at Fern’s inquest was Melissa Hinton. She gave evidence after lunch on Day 11. She gave an affirmation. C: Can I thank you for attending the inquest today, and you and your colleagues, for proactively considering matters as they’re unfolding and providing additional evidence to assist me in learning […]
The first witness on Day 11 of Fern Foster’s inquest was Dr Tina Malhotra, who is a Consultant Psychiatrist and Clinical Director at Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust. She gave an affirmation and the coroner welcomed her, saying that he was hearing from her in relation to learning, actions and implementation following Fern’s sad death. […]
Fern Foster’s death was verified at around 15:20 on 8 July 2020 at her current accommodation. Fern had received news that day concerning the intended adoption of her child, in circumstances where professional support, including independent advocacy was not physically present at the time, to try to assist Fern with processing the information to safeguard […]
The morning of Day 10 of Fern Foster’s inquest was mostly given over to hearing the evidence of Richard Nash, the Service Director for Children’s Social Care at Buckinghamshire Council. The coroner asked him to move to the witness table and after he took an oath set the scene for those in court. “IPs will […]
The Senior Coroner, Crispin Butler opened Day 10 of Fern’s inquest by welcoming people to court. He gave a warning about sensitive reporting of the circumstances around Fern’s death, most particularly about method. He said there was evidence to be heard this morning, then legal discussions would be made this afternoon, and he was anticipating […]
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, […]
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 […]