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Blood errors in Barrymore probe Blood errors in Barrymore inquiry
(20 minutes later)
Blood found on the boxer shorts of a man found dead in Michael Barrymore's swimming pool was not properly investigated, a report has found. Blood found on the boxer shorts of a man found dead by Michael Barrymore's swimming pool was not properly investigated, a report has found.
Stuart Lubbock, 31, was found dead in entertainer's swimming pool in 2001.Stuart Lubbock, 31, was found dead in entertainer's swimming pool in 2001.
The police also failed to investigate the blood stains on other items at the scene including towels and a robe. The police also failed to "promptly investigate" blood stains found on towels and a robe.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) upheld six of 36 complaints and allegations from Stuart's father, Terry Lubbock.The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) upheld six of 36 complaints and allegations from Stuart's father, Terry Lubbock.
It found that two pieces of evidence, which could have been crucial, went missing. No one has ever been charged in connection with the death of Mr Lubbock.
'Mistakes made' As well as the internal injuries, post-mortem tests showed he had taken ecstasy, cocaine and alcohol before he died.
A coroner recorded an open verdict into Mr Lubbock's death following an inquest in September 2002.
These shortcomings must be frustrating and distressing for Mr Lubbock, who has worked tirelessly to find out what happened to his son IPCC Commissioner David Petch
The IPCC report revealed that found that two pieces of evidence, which could have been crucial, went missing.
They were a swimming pool thermometer which appears in photographs of the scene, and a detached door handle, neither of which were seized by police or forensically tested.They were a swimming pool thermometer which appears in photographs of the scene, and a detached door handle, neither of which were seized by police or forensically tested.
It was not been possible for the police to establish whether or not the implements were used to cause Mr Lubbock's injuries, the IPCC said.It was not been possible for the police to establish whether or not the implements were used to cause Mr Lubbock's injuries, the IPCC said.
Mr Barrymore has always denied involvement in Mr Lubbock's death
Mr Lubbock said earlier that Essex Police had told him "mistakes were made" by the force.
The complaints which were upheld include: the scene not being effectively preserved; unauthorised people allowed to stay at the scene; a member of the public being allowed to take the temperature of the swimming pool, and the investigation being suspended prematurely.The complaints which were upheld include: the scene not being effectively preserved; unauthorised people allowed to stay at the scene; a member of the public being allowed to take the temperature of the swimming pool, and the investigation being suspended prematurely.
IPCC Commissioner David Petch said: "There are absolutely no grounds to support allegations that officers acted corruptly.IPCC Commissioner David Petch said: "There are absolutely no grounds to support allegations that officers acted corruptly.
'Mistakes made'
"The view that the entire investigation was incompetent is not borne out by the bulk of the evidence."The view that the entire investigation was incompetent is not borne out by the bulk of the evidence.
"But undoubtedly there were failings in some aspects of the investigation.""But undoubtedly there were failings in some aspects of the investigation."
"As a consequence there are lingering fears that, because the integrity of the scene was not properly preserved, important evidence may have been lost.
He added: "In our view the decision in December 2001 to suspend the investigation was premature - at that time some key forensic work had not been completed and some inquiries were still outstanding.
"We will probably never know whether the missing thermometer and door handle were evidentially important, but not securing these items was a failure and leaves questions unanswered.
Mr Barrymore has always denied involvement in Mr Lubbock's death
"All of these shortcomings must be frustrating and distressing for Mr Lubbock, who has worked tirelessly to find out what happened to his son."
Terry Lubbock said the IPCC report revealed "significant" police errors.
He said Lubbock: "If they had done the job properly in the first place we would have had people in court charged. I am sure of that.
"And that is what I am still pursuing. I want justice to be done and I will not rest until it is."
The IPCC began its inquiry in March 2007 after receiving complaints from Mr Lubbock.
Deputy Chief Constable of Essex Police Andy Bliss said he had visited Mr Lubbock to deliver a personal apology on behalf of the force.
"Over the last eight years, Essex Police has taken a number of steps to improve investigations into suspicious deaths. Since this investigation, Essex Police has introduced specific training for dealing with suspicious deaths and we continually seek to improve this.
"We remain determined to find out what happened to Stuart back in March 2001. A new investigation began in 2006 and this remains ongoing."