Second inquest into death of Chard judge (From Chard & Ilminster News)

Second inquest into death of Chard judge

5:17pm Saturday 25th August 2007 in Chard By News reporter

THE BBC has reported that a second inquest into the death of a Chard judge, who died in a fire in his garden shed, is to be held in October later this year.

Judge Andrew Chubb, 58, died at his home near Chard in July 2001 less than an hour after asking his wife, Jennifer, for a divorce.

His mistress of two years, Kerry Sparrow, had challenged an inquest ruling that his death was accidental.

A spokeswoman for the East Somerset Coroner has now said a new hearing will start on October 8.

It will be held at Glastonbury Town Hall before the Dorset coroner Sherrif Payne and is expected to last six days.

Ms Sparrow's lawyers had argued that there was "a lack of sufficient inquiry" into the death at the original inquest.

Lord Chief Justice, Lord Phillips and Mr Justice Roderick Evans, sitting at the High Court, last November ordered another inquest be held into the judge's death.

Martin Westgate, Ms Sparrow's lawyer, had told the hearing that new evidence had come to light casting doubt on the initial verdict.

Mrs Chubb had told the original inquest that her husband, one of the prosecutors in the case against serial killer Rose West, had gone outside to a shed where lawnmowers and petrol were stored. She then saw the building explode.

Mr Westgate told the High Court that more witnesses had now been traced and their evidence suggested that a fire was well established before the explosion in the shed occurred.

Mrs Chubb was arrested and interviewed under caution in connection with her husband's death, but no charges were brought against her.