This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/somerset/7041059.stm

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Judge death 'remains a mystery' Judge explosion death 'a mystery'
(20 minutes later)
A judge who died in an explosion in his garden shed neither committed suicide nor was murdered, a coroner has ruled.A judge who died in an explosion in his garden shed neither committed suicide nor was murdered, a coroner has ruled.
A second inquest on Andrew Chubb found the cause of death was "unascertained".A second inquest on Andrew Chubb found the cause of death was "unascertained".
The judge had asked his wife of 34 years, Jennifer, for a divorce hours before his death in 2001, the five-day inquest in Glastonbury has heard.The judge had asked his wife of 34 years, Jennifer, for a divorce hours before his death in 2001, the five-day inquest in Glastonbury has heard.
His wife told police that his mistress, Kerry Sparrow, was blackmailing the 58-year-old judge - a claim Ms Sparrow had denied.His wife told police that his mistress, Kerry Sparrow, was blackmailing the 58-year-old judge - a claim Ms Sparrow had denied.
Ms Sparrow has been pushing for the second inquest for six years - and won a High Court battle last year for fresh evidence to be heard.Ms Sparrow has been pushing for the second inquest for six years - and won a High Court battle last year for fresh evidence to be heard.
Not enough proof
Coroner Sheriff Payne returned a narrative verdict on Friday, overturning the first verdict of accidental death.Coroner Sheriff Payne returned a narrative verdict on Friday, overturning the first verdict of accidental death.
"It has not been possible to determine whether [Mr Chubb] was disabled from escaping by the effects of the products of combustion or any other means," he said."It has not been possible to determine whether [Mr Chubb] was disabled from escaping by the effects of the products of combustion or any other means," he said.
It is likely that the fire was caused or accelerated by the ignition of petrol vapour Sheriff Payne
"Both the means and the cause of his death remain unascertained."Both the means and the cause of his death remain unascertained.
It is likely that the fire was caused or accelerated by the ignition of petrol vapour Sheriff Payne Judge Chubb: the background
"Evidence that might indicate that he had expressed thoughts of harming himself fall far below proof beyond doubt that is the standard request for the conclusion that he deliberately took his own life.""Evidence that might indicate that he had expressed thoughts of harming himself fall far below proof beyond doubt that is the standard request for the conclusion that he deliberately took his own life."
He also discounted any suggestion that Judge Chubb was killed by his wife or any other third party.He also discounted any suggestion that Judge Chubb was killed by his wife or any other third party.
It would have been virtually impossible for her to "disable" him and set fire to the shed.It would have been virtually impossible for her to "disable" him and set fire to the shed.
Mrs Chubb now lives in Australia and did not attend the hearing.Mrs Chubb now lives in Australia and did not attend the hearing.
But Ms Sparrow, a legal executive from Portsmouth, gave evidence at the inquest, saying she thought her lover had not killed himself and refusing to accept his death was accidental.But Ms Sparrow, a legal executive from Portsmouth, gave evidence at the inquest, saying she thought her lover had not killed himself and refusing to accept his death was accidental.
Ms Sparrow has appeared at the inquest class="" href="/1/hi/england/somerset/7041433.stm">The judge's women
After the inquest she said: "The coroner has considered all of the available evidence. I will probably never know for sure what happened on the night Andrew died.After the inquest she said: "The coroner has considered all of the available evidence. I will probably never know for sure what happened on the night Andrew died.
"I sincerely hope that no one else has to go through what I have been through and I hope that my fight encourages other people to seek the truth."I sincerely hope that no one else has to go through what I have been through and I hope that my fight encourages other people to seek the truth.
"Andrew passionately believed in justice and I know that he would feel that I have got justice for him.""Andrew passionately believed in justice and I know that he would feel that I have got justice for him."
Mr Payne added that it was a mystery why Judge Chubb had closed the doors to the shed and why he had not tried to escape from the fire.Mr Payne added that it was a mystery why Judge Chubb had closed the doors to the shed and why he had not tried to escape from the fire.
"It is likely that the fire was caused or accelerated by the ignition of petrol vapour."It is likely that the fire was caused or accelerated by the ignition of petrol vapour.
"There was no electricity or gas supply to the shed. No match or means of fire-lighting were found.""There was no electricity or gas supply to the shed. No match or means of fire-lighting were found."
He said the judge did not smoke or carry matches and no-one had heard any attempt by him to start the sit-on lawnmower.He said the judge did not smoke or carry matches and no-one had heard any attempt by him to start the sit-on lawnmower.
Avon and Somerset Police admitted shortcomings in the initial inquiry, but said there was "no chance" it would reopen.Avon and Somerset Police admitted shortcomings in the initial inquiry, but said there was "no chance" it would reopen.