This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/uk/6202926.stm
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
New Barrymore pool death inquiry | New Barrymore pool death inquiry |
(30 minutes later) | |
A new inquiry is to be launched into the death of a man whose body was found in a swimming pool at the home of comedian Michael Barrymore, say police. | A new inquiry is to be launched into the death of a man whose body was found in a swimming pool at the home of comedian Michael Barrymore, say police. |
The body of Stuart Lubbock, 31, from Harlow, was discovered in March 2001 at the entertainer's Essex home. | The body of Stuart Lubbock, 31, from Harlow, was discovered in March 2001 at the entertainer's Essex home. |
No-one was charged with any offence relating to the death. The new inquiry follows a review of the original one. | No-one was charged with any offence relating to the death. The new inquiry follows a review of the original one. |
The star, 54, was sacked by ITV in 2002 following the incident. He has said he later contemplated suicide. | The star, 54, was sacked by ITV in 2002 following the incident. He has said he later contemplated suicide. |
A coroner recorded an open verdict following an inquest into Mr Lubbock's death in September 2002. | A coroner recorded an open verdict following an inquest into Mr Lubbock's death in September 2002. |
Mr Barrymore accepted an official caution for drugs offences following a lengthy investigation by Essex Police. | Mr Barrymore accepted an official caution for drugs offences following a lengthy investigation by Essex Police. |
Mr Lubbock's father Terry - also of Harlow - has mounted a campaign for his son's death to be reinvestigated. | |
There were at least eight people present on the night he died and somebody knows why he died and what happened to him Terry Lubbock Welcoming news of a new inquiry, Mr Lubbock's brother Kevin said: "I am pleased. It's what my father wanted all along." | |
And the family's lawyer, Tony Bennett, added that his clients were "delighted by the police's decision". | |
Severe injuries | |
The dead man had been among a number of people at a party being held at the entertainer's home. | The dead man had been among a number of people at a party being held at the entertainer's home. |
A post-mortem examination revealed that Mr Lubbock had suffered severe internal injuries, suggesting he may have been the victim of a serious sexual assault before his death. | A post-mortem examination revealed that Mr Lubbock had suffered severe internal injuries, suggesting he may have been the victim of a serious sexual assault before his death. |
Alcohol, ecstasy and cocaine were found in the man's bloodstream. | Alcohol, ecstasy and cocaine were found in the man's bloodstream. |
In February a district judge blocked a bid by Terry Lubbock to mount a private prosecution against Mr Barrymore. | |
Mr Lubbock had wanted the comedian to answer allegations of drug misuse, disorderly behaviour and assault. | |
No-one has been charged in relation to Stuart Lubbock's deathHowever, following a private hearing at a magistrates' court in Southend, Essex, the district judge said there was insufficient evidence. | |
After that hearing, Terry Lubbock said he would continue "to fight for justice". | |
"There were at least eight people present on the night he died and somebody knows why he died and what happened to him," he told reporters. | |
"None of them has ever come forward to tell us or the police the truth and I hope that pricks their conscience - and I doubt whether they sleep well at night. That includes Mr Barrymore. | |
"All I want to know is the truth about what happened to my son - why he died." | |
In response to the failed prosecution, Mr Barrymore said that he also sought the truth about what happened to Mr Lubbock. | |
The comedian, whose career faltered following the incident, said the evidence relied on in the attempted private prosecution was "either inadequate or unlawfully obtained". | |
Confirming the new investigation, an Essex Police spokeswoman would only say: "We are going to reinvestigate the death of Stuart Lubbock." | |
She would not say whether detectives had any plans to re-interview the entertainer, or whether he had already been re-interviewed. |