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Ex-pathologist 'admits arrogance' Ex-pathologist 'admits arrogance'
(10 minutes later)
A former Home Office pathologist has admitted he was "incredibly arrogant" in wrongly asserting two women were murdered despite opposing evidence.A former Home Office pathologist has admitted he was "incredibly arrogant" in wrongly asserting two women were murdered despite opposing evidence.
Dr Michael Heath resigned three years ago after he was strongly criticised for his work on the deaths of Mary Anne Moore and Jacqueline Tindsley.Dr Michael Heath resigned three years ago after he was strongly criticised for his work on the deaths of Mary Anne Moore and Jacqueline Tindsley.
He now faces a General Medical Council (GMC) hearing in which his fitness to practise medicine is being questioned.He now faces a General Medical Council (GMC) hearing in which his fitness to practise medicine is being questioned.
Dr Heath performed hundreds of examinations for high-profile cases.Dr Heath performed hundreds of examinations for high-profile cases.
Mounting evidenceMounting evidence
These included an examination on the body of Stuart Lubbock, who was found dead in a swimming pool at the Essex home of TV presenter Michael Barrymore in 2001.These included an examination on the body of Stuart Lubbock, who was found dead in a swimming pool at the Essex home of TV presenter Michael Barrymore in 2001.
A government disciplinary panel three years ago found that Dr Heath bungled post-mortem examinations on the two women, leading to their partners being tried for murder.A government disciplinary panel three years ago found that Dr Heath bungled post-mortem examinations on the two women, leading to their partners being tried for murder.
It found that in both cases Dr Heath's professional performance fell short of the standards required of forensic pathologists by the secretary of state.It found that in both cases Dr Heath's professional performance fell short of the standards required of forensic pathologists by the secretary of state.
I just carried on going in an arrogant way and that was wrong Dr Michael HeathI just carried on going in an arrogant way and that was wrong Dr Michael Heath
He refused to back down on his view that the two women had been murdered despite mounting evidence to the contrary.He refused to back down on his view that the two women had been murdered despite mounting evidence to the contrary.
The doctor had been called in to examine Miss Tindsley, 55, whose body was found in her bed at home in Lowestoft, Suffolk, in March 2002.The doctor had been called in to examine Miss Tindsley, 55, whose body was found in her bed at home in Lowestoft, Suffolk, in March 2002.
Her partner, Stephen Puaca, was jailed at Norwich Crown Court later that year for her murder following Dr Heath's evidence that she was asphyxiated.Her partner, Stephen Puaca, was jailed at Norwich Crown Court later that year for her murder following Dr Heath's evidence that she was asphyxiated.
In November 2005 Mr Puaca's conviction was quashed by the Court of Appeal after seven pathologists told the court they believed Miss Tindsley died from an epileptic seizure. In November 2005 Mr Puaca's conviction was quashed by the Court of Appeal after other pathologists said they believed Miss Tindsley had died from an epileptic seizure.
In the latest hearing before the GMC, Dr Heath admitted his conduct in 2006 was "arrogant" and that he became his "own judge and jury".In the latest hearing before the GMC, Dr Heath admitted his conduct in 2006 was "arrogant" and that he became his "own judge and jury".
Dr Heath said: "At no stage did I seek help. I just carried on going in an arrogant way and that was wrong.Dr Heath said: "At no stage did I seek help. I just carried on going in an arrogant way and that was wrong.
"It was not in the interests of justice and I can see that now. It has taken me some time to get there.""It was not in the interests of justice and I can see that now. It has taken me some time to get there."
Dr Heath, who now conducts post-mortems on behalf of coroners, told the panel he had "absolutely no intention" of taking on forensic cases again in the future. Dr Heath, who now conducts post-mortem examinations on behalf of coroners, told the panel he had "absolutely no intention" of taking on forensic cases again in the future.