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Harvey Nichols death was unlawful Harvey Nichols death was unlawful
(40 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. Giving his ruling on Thursday, Dr Knapman said the Met had made a number of mistakes in handling 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. These included charging Pech with a less serious offence than the one recommended by prosecutors after he was first arrested, and failing to fill in relevant forms.
Administrative error At a previous hearing, he had heard how a "low risk" assessment was given to Pech by police after Miss Bernal reported his behaviour.
One of the Metropolitan Police's most senior officers had appeared before the hearing to defend his force's handling of the case. Metropolitan Police (Met) Commander Steve Allen, head of the Violent Crime Directorate, had admitted that a crucial risk assessment form had not been completed but said this had not made "one iota" of difference to the eventual outcome.
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. In this case we do not need a scapegoat Dr Paul Knapman class="" href="/1/hi/uk/6234247.stm">Unpredictable threats
The coroner insisted these shortcomings were "not serious" and instead criticised a culture of blame between the CPS and the police in the case.
He said: "Forget about human fallibility, or even expecting people to do the impossible.
"In this case we do not need a scapegoat. We do not need a parcel of retribution to be passed to end in some person's lap."
He concluded: "I am satisfied this outcome could not have been reasonably foreseen bearing in mind the resources available."
Dr Knapman said he would write to the Met and ask the force to consider cutting down on paperwork so officers could be freed to spend more time on operational duties.
Pech shot Miss Bernal in front of shoppers at Harvey NicholsPech 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 coroner singled out for praise the inexperienced Pc Bibi Shah who was assigned to Ms Bernal's case. He said she had carried out her duties "in the best tradition of the old spirit of the Met".
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. Slovakian Pech had taken cocaine before walking into Harvey Nichols on 13 September.
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. The inquest was told he crept up behind Ms Bernal and shot her in the back of the head.
Miss Bernal was shot dead by Pech on 13 September. He had taken cocaine beforehand. Then, as she lay on the floor the 30-year-old former security guard at the store fired three more bullets at her.
The former soldier had begun stalking Ms Bernal, from Dulwich, south London, following the end of their brief relationship in 2005.
Smuggled pistolSmuggled 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 Ms 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 Ms Bernal's death, her mother, Patricia, of Groombridge, East Sussex, has campaigned for stalking law reforms.