Bristol crash: Officer charged after woman seriously injured
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigated the incident in May and then referred its report to the Crown Prosecution Service.
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Sky News
13 hours ago
- Sky News
Police watchdog closes investigations over decision to charge Caroline Flack
The police watchdog has closed its investigations into the circumstances leading up to the decision to charge TV presenter Caroline Flack with assaulting her boyfriend. Flack died in February 2020, with a coroner ruling that she took her own life after discovering she was definitely going to face a trial. The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) initially recommended a caution after the alleged assault in December 2019 - but London's Metropolitan Police appealed and the Love Island host was charged with assault by beating. Various reviews into the way the case was handled have been carried out by the CPS, the Met, and the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) since Flack's death. In April 2024, the star's mother told Sky News she believes her daughter's celebrity status likely contributed towards the decision to charge her. It has now emerged that the IOPC closed its latest investigation, relating to the actions of officers in appealing to the CPS, in January 2025 - finding the outcome was "reasonable and proportionate". An IOPC spokesperson said it received a complaint referral from the Met, which contained "a number of allegations about the force's investigation" into the alleged assault, in March 2024. The majority of the allegations had already been investigated by the force and reviewed by the IOPC, the watchdog said, so it found no further action was required. However, the Met was directed to investigate one aspect of the complaint "on the basis there may be new witness evidence available". This related to the actions of officers in appealing the initial CPS decision, and five allegations were returned to the force's Directorate of Professional Standards (DPS) to "resolve in a proportionate manner", the IOPC spokesperson told Sky News. In June 2024, the Met found there was "no new evidence that would alter any previous outcomes", the spokesperson added, and the complainant asked the IOPC to review once again. "Following that review, in January 2025 we found that outcome to be reasonable and proportionate." A Met Police spokesperson said DPS officers made further enquiries and examined the evidence last year. "It did not change the original outcome that the service provided by officers was acceptable," the spokesperson said. "The family were advised of the outcome in June [2024] and then appealed that outcome to the IOPC. The IOPC carried out a review and, in January 2025, found no new evidence that would alter any of the previous outcomes." Both the Met and the IOPC have closed their investigations. The IOPC said another review could be considered in light of any new evidence. At the end of Flack's inquest, coroner Mary Hassell said the alleged assault had "played out in the national press" following her arrest and had a serious impact on her mental health. In April 2024, her mother Christine Flack told Sky News: "This wasn't domestic violence. This was an accident. But she was portrayed in the court and in the newspapers as a domestic abuser, and that's what hurts. That's what I want got rid of - because she wasn't." She said she believed her daughter was treated differently due to her celebrity status. "And that's not on. She shouldn't be treated better, but she shouldn't be treated worse." This was not the first investigation into the handling of Flack's case, with the Met initially referring itself to the watchdog just a few days after her death. The DPS found there was no misconduct, prompting another complaint from Flack's family to the IOPC. In 2023, the IOPC ordered the force to apologise for not recording its reason for appealing against the caution, but said it had not identified any misconduct. In the days after the TV presenter's death, the CPS also reviewed its handling of the case. Flack's boyfriend, Lewis Burton, had said he did not support the prosecution, and following her death her management released a statement criticising the decision. At the time, a CPS spokesperson said it was normal practice for prosecutors to hold a debriefing after complex or sensitive cases have ended. "This has taken place and found that the case was handled appropriately and in line with our published legal guidance," they said. Flack, 40, presented shows including spin-offs I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! NOW! and The Xtra Factor, as well as one season of the main X Factor show with former contestant Olly Murs, before becoming best known as the host of Love Island. She also won Strictly Come Dancing in 2014. Sky News has contacted Flack's family for comment.
Press and Journal
a day ago
- Press and Journal
Woman dies in hospital six days after A96 crash near Inverness
A 50-year-old woman has died six days after a two-vehicle crash on the A96 near Inverness. The incident, involving a red Vauxhall Corsa and a black Volvo XC60, happened on the Inverness to Aberdeen road at Newton of Petty on Friday, July 18. Two air ambulances were tasked to the scene near the Ardersier turn-off at around 9am, alongside firefighters, police, paramedics and trauma specialists. The driver of the Corsa, a 50-year-old woman, was taken by air ambulance to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. She died in hospital this morning, six days after the crash. A dog travelling in the car also died at the scene. The passenger of the Volvo, a 74-year-old woman, was also airlifted to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where she remains in stable condition Meanwhile, the 74-year-old male driver was taken to Raigmore Hospital and was later discharged. The A96 was closed for almost 10 hours as crash investigators surveyed the scene. Investigations into the A96 crash remain ongoing, with officers keen to speak to anyone who may have witnessed the crash. Police have confirmed that the red Corsa involved in the collision had previously been reported as stolen from the Buckie area. Sergeant Ewan Calder said: 'Our thoughts are with the family and friends of the woman who has died, and we continue to carry out inquiries to establish the full circumstances of the crash and the events leading up to it. 'We are keen to speak to anyone who witnessed the crash or who saw the Vauxhall Corsa being driven in the area prior to the collision. 'I would also urge anyone with dash-cam footage or any other information that could assist to contact police.' Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting incident number 0755 of Friday, July 18.
Telegraph
2 days ago
- Telegraph
Five officers under investigation after man dies in custody
Five police officers are being investigated after the death of a man in custody. The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) began an investigation into the death of Ellis Rocks, 26, who was found unresponsive in custody earlier this month after he was arrested in a hotel in Wigan. The watchdog said two Greater Manchester Police officers were being investigated for potential gross misconduct, and a further three were under investigation for potential breaches of police standards of professional behaviour at the level of misconduct. An IOPC spokesman said the investigation remained in its early stages, but no concerns had been identified about any use of force by officers. The cause of death is yet to be revealed. Mr Rocks was detained inside the Britannia Hotel in Almond Brook Road in Standish just after 8.30pm on Thursday, July 31 and handcuffed and searched before being transferred to custody, the spokesman said. An ambulance was called by detention officers at about 2.30am the following day when he was seen to be unresponsive and lying on the floor. He died in the hospital on August 3. Amanda Rowe, the IOPC director, said: 'We have been in contact with Mr Rocks's family to update them on the progress of our investigation, and they have been informed of the latest development. Our thoughts remain with all family and friends and anyone affected by his death. 'While we've notified a number of officers they are under investigation, this does not mean that disciplinary proceedings will automatically follow. At the end of our investigation, we will determine whether any individuals should face disciplinary proceedings. 'It's important that we continue to carry out an independent and thorough investigation to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident.' CCTV from the custody suite and body-worn footage from the arrest have been reviewed as part of the investigation. Following Mr Rocks's death, a GMP spokesman said the force was aware of 'comments and speculation online'. In a statement earlier this month, the force said: 'The man in question had been arrested on suspicion of drug offences, and in connection with an investigation into an assault in London. 'The arrest did not come in connection with any protest activity. The man was arrested at a location which does not house asylum seekers, and there were no protests in relation to this in Wigan on the day the man was taken into custody.'
