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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Rachel case 'charges were mulled' | Rachel case 'charges were mulled' |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Charges had been considered against the former boyfriend of Rachel Whitear who died in her Exmouth bedsit from a suspected drugs overdose, police said. | Charges had been considered against the former boyfriend of Rachel Whitear who died in her Exmouth bedsit from a suspected drugs overdose, police said. |
| An inquest in Exeter heard how detectives arrested Luke Fitzgerald in connection with her May 2000 death. | An inquest in Exeter heard how detectives arrested Luke Fitzgerald in connection with her May 2000 death. |
| The detective who re-investigated the case told a jury Mr Fitzgerald and his brother Simon were both interviewed. | The detective who re-investigated the case told a jury Mr Fitzgerald and his brother Simon were both interviewed. |
| Both men denied having anything to do with the death and lawyers subsequently decided no charges should be brought. | Both men denied having anything to do with the death and lawyers subsequently decided no charges should be brought. |
| The jury heard the first details of a re-investigation by Wiltshire Police of the case following concerns raised by Ms Whitear's parents, from Herefordshire, about the first inquiry carried out by detectives from the Devon and Cornwall force. | |
| Mother's 'regrets' | Mother's 'regrets' |
| Det Ch Supt Paul Howlett said: "Rachel's boyfriend Luke Fitzgerald and his brother Simon had both been arrested and questioned for two days." | Det Ch Supt Paul Howlett said: "Rachel's boyfriend Luke Fitzgerald and his brother Simon had both been arrested and questioned for two days." |
| He said a file on Ms Whitear's death was sent to the Crown Prosecution Service "but they decided there was insufficient evidence to bring charges". | He said a file on Ms Whitear's death was sent to the Crown Prosecution Service "but they decided there was insufficient evidence to bring charges". |
| The inquest heard Luke Fitzgerald deny injecting Miss Whitear with heroin and in a statement from Simon Fitzgerald he denied have any role in her death. | The inquest heard Luke Fitzgerald deny injecting Miss Whitear with heroin and in a statement from Simon Fitzgerald he denied have any role in her death. |
| Mr Howlett said it would have been feasible for a third party to have entered and left Ms Whitear's room in Pound Street, Exmouth, at the time of her death. | Mr Howlett said it would have been feasible for a third party to have entered and left Ms Whitear's room in Pound Street, Exmouth, at the time of her death. |
| There was no evidence to corroborate whether that had actually happened or that Ms Whitear's ex-boyfriend, Luke Fitzgerald, had ever visited Pound Street. | There was no evidence to corroborate whether that had actually happened or that Ms Whitear's ex-boyfriend, Luke Fitzgerald, had ever visited Pound Street. |
| The inquest had heard claims from a female witness who remained anonymous on the orders of the coroner, about the actions of Luke Fitzgerald and his brother Simon. | The inquest had heard claims from a female witness who remained anonymous on the orders of the coroner, about the actions of Luke Fitzgerald and his brother Simon. |
| But Mr Howlett said there were "question marks" surrounding her credibility as a witness. | But Mr Howlett said there were "question marks" surrounding her credibility as a witness. |
| Ms Whitear's mother Pauline Holcroft told the jury she had not been allowed to spend much time with her daughter when she went to identify her, something she said she would "always regret." | Ms Whitear's mother Pauline Holcroft told the jury she had not been allowed to spend much time with her daughter when she went to identify her, something she said she would "always regret." |
| The hearing continues. | The hearing continues. |