Northern Ireland

Katie Simpson inquest preliminary hearing to take place

Preliminary hearing comes after murder accused Jonathan Creswell took his own life

Katie Simpson murder-
Derry no5-2/5/2024- Trevor McBride picture©
Chief Constable has told Policing Board officers commited misconduct in case.
( pictured at court-22/4/2024 )
horse trainer Jonathan Cresswell(35)  
who was charged with the murder of show jumper Katie Simpson in 2020-pictured at court in Derry prior to proceedings in Coleraine.
he was found dead at his home after first day of court.
mandatory picture credit Trevor McBride
Former jockey Jonathan Creswell took his own life after the first day of his trial for the murder and rape of Katie Simpson (Trevor McBride)

The first inquest preliminary hearing into the death of Katie Simpson is expected to take place in Belfast next Tuesday, September 24.

The young showjumper died in hospital six days after she was assaulted at her home near Derry in August 2020.

The 21-year-old’s death was initially treated by police as a suicide.

Former jockey Jonathan Creswell took his own life after the first day of his trial for murder and rape in April.

Katie Simpson murder-
Derry no5-2/5/2024- Trevor McBride picture©
Chief Constable has told Policing Board officers commited misconduct in case.
( pictured at court-22/4/2024 )
horse trainer Jonathan Cresswell(35)  
who was charged with the murder of show jumper Katie Simpson in 2020-pictured at court in Derry prior to proceedings in Coleraine.
he was found dead at his home after first day of court.
mandatory picture credit
Jonathan Cresswell (Trevor McBride)

Prosecutors had said Cresswell attempted to cover-up the alleged murder by claiming Ms Simpson had tried to take her own life.

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The case has been swamped by controversy over the PSNI approach during the early stages of the investigation.

It is now known that four separate reports were made to police urging them to investigate an assault and murder.

Medical staff also raised concerns about the nature of the injuries suffered by Ms Simpson.

PSNI Chief Constable Jon Boutcher has acknowledged shortcomings in the initial stages of the investigation.

Solicitor Kevin Winter who represents some of the families speaks to the media after The newly published report by Jon Boutcher on Friday.
PICTURE COLM LENAGHAN
Solicitor Kevin Winter

Solicitor Kevin Winters, of KRW Law, who is representing the family of Ms Simpson, said they were poorly served by the original police investigation which failed to identify Jonathan Creswell as a suspect at a much earlier stage”.

“They are still coming to terms with the initial senseless PSNI assessment that Katie (died by) suicide,” he added.

“It remains deeply retraumatising for them but they now hope the inquest will reset the dial in their fight for justice for Katie.”

Mr Winters also raised concerns about delays by the Police Ombudsman in publishing a report into Ms Simpson’s death.

“The inquest also comes at a time when they have increasing anxiety over the ongoing delay in PONI releasing its report into police investigative failure,” he said.

“They hope the inquest will help bring some pressure to have that long awaited report made public.”

The solicitor added that other legal options open to the family including “civil proceedings against the PSNI and others who impeded the investigation”.

“However, at this stage they are looking forward to the inquest providing much needed answers on what went badly wrong in this investigation,” he added.

A spokeswoman for the Police Ombudsman said: “We are working as a priority to ensure that we provide Katie’s family with their closure letter as soon as possible, and once all necessary processes have been completed.”