Gareth Myatt inquest adjourned until July

March 21, 2007 in Youth justice

The inquest into the death of Gareth Myatt has been adjourned for nearly four months because some legal matters have to be considered by a court in London.

The development came five weeks into the hearing into the death of the 15-year-old at the privately-run Rainsbrook Secure Training Centre, near Rugby, in April 2004, after he was restrained using the now banned double-seated embrace technique.

The jury had heard evidence from all witnesses in the case, which began on 16 February.

Judge Richard Pollard, sitting as coroner, had been due to sum up the evidence today but the jury was told instead that the hearing would be delayed until July .

He said: “There are some legal matters that actually need to be heard by a court in London before we can go on.”

Gareth Myatt’s mother, Pam Wilton, was at the inquest to hear the development.

Judge Pollard said: “It is a terrible burden and inconvenience and I apologise for that. No one quite knows how long it will take.”

The hearing, which is being held in the Rushden and Diamond Conference Centre in Northamptonshire, was adjourned until 16 July.

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