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Harvey Nichols death was unlawful | Harvey Nichols death was unlawful |
(20 minutes later) | |
The killing of an employee at a Harvey Nichols store by her ex-boyfriend "could not have been reasonably foreseen", a coroner has ruled. | The killing of an employee at a Harvey Nichols store by her ex-boyfriend "could not have been reasonably foreseen", a coroner has ruled. |
Westminster coroner Dr Paul Knapman said Clare Bernal, 22, was unlawfully killed when she was shot dead by Michael Pech, who then killed himself. | Westminster coroner Dr Paul Knapman said Clare Bernal, 22, was unlawfully killed when she was shot dead by Michael Pech, who then killed himself. |
She was shot in Knightsbridge, west London, in September 2005. | She was shot in Knightsbridge, west London, in September 2005. |
At an earlier hearing, Dr Knapman said there was a culture of blame between the police and the CPS in the case. | At an earlier hearing, Dr Knapman said there was a culture of blame between the police and the CPS in the case. |
Earlier this month, Dr Knapman had heard how a "low risk" assessment was given to Pech by police after Miss Bernal reported his behaviour. | Earlier this month, Dr Knapman had heard how a "low risk" assessment was given to Pech by police after Miss Bernal reported his behaviour. |
Administrative error | Administrative error |
One of the Metropolitan Police's most senior officers had appeared before the hearing to defend his force's handling of the case. | |
Commander Steve Allen, head of the Violent Crime Directorate, admitted a crucial risk assessment form had not been completed but said this had not made "one iota" of difference to the eventual outcome. | |
Pech shot Miss Bernal in front of shoppers at Harvey Nichols | |
The hearing had also heard how, when Pech was eventually arrested, he was charged with a less serious offence than the one recommended by prosecutors - possibly because of an administrative error by police. | The hearing had also heard how, when Pech was eventually arrested, he was charged with a less serious offence than the one recommended by prosecutors - possibly because of an administrative error by police. |
But giving his verdict on Thursday, Dr Knapman said although there were "shortcomings" in the handling of the case by the authorities they were not serious. | |
He added even though Pech had been harassing the beauty assistant, he had stayed away from her for the five months before the shooting and the police could not keep track of him all the time. | |
Miss Bernal was shot dead by Pech on 13 September. He had taken cocaine beforehand. | |
Smuggled pistol | Smuggled pistol |
The former soldier had begun stalking Miss Bernal, from Dulwich, south London, following the end of their brief relationship in 2005. | |
He was arrested and charged with harassment, but while on bail managed to travel to Slovakia and smuggle back a pistol. | He was arrested and charged with harassment, but while on bail managed to travel to Slovakia and smuggle back a pistol. |
He shot Miss Bernal eight days before he was due to be sentenced after pleading guilty to the harassment offence. | He shot Miss Bernal eight days before he was due to be sentenced after pleading guilty to the harassment offence. |
At an earlier inquest, Dr Knapman recorded a verdict of suicide for the death of Pech. | At an earlier inquest, Dr Knapman recorded a verdict of suicide for the death of Pech. |
Since Miss Bernal's death, her mother, Patricia, of Groombridge, East Sussex, has campaigned for stalking law reforms. | Since Miss Bernal's death, her mother, Patricia, of Groombridge, East Sussex, has campaigned for stalking law reforms. |