Two retired South Yorkshire Police officers and ex solicitor plead not guilty to perverting course of justice after Hillsborough disaster
- Donald Denton, 83, Alan Foster, 74, and Peter Metcalf, 71, pleaded not guilty
- The charges relate to amendment of police officers’ statements after disaster
- Jury expected to be sworn in on Tuesday for trial which could last up to 16 weeks
Two retired police officers and a former force solicitor have pleaded not guilty to perverting the course of justice after the Hillsborough disaster.
Former South Yorkshire Police chief superintendent Donald Denton, 83, Alan Foster, 74, a retired detective chief inspector, and Peter Metcalf, 71, a former solicitor for the force, are due to stand trial at the Nightingale court sitting at the Lowry Theatre in Salford.
On Monday morning, the three men each entered not guilty pleas to two counts of doing acts tending and intended to pervert the course of justice.
A jury is expected to be selected later on Monday for the trial, which is due to last up to 16 weeks. (Pictured, Donald Denton)
Family members and some press were in the gallery of the room, with a separate annexe for media in the building and proceedings relayed to St George’s Hall in Liverpool. (Pictured, Peter Metcalf)
The charges relate to the amendment of police officers’ statements following the disaster on April 15 1989. (Pictured, Alan Foster)
The defendants stood in the stalls of the theatre, converted into a temporary courtroom, to enter their pleas while judge Mr Justice William Davis sat on the stage.
Family members and some press were in the gallery of the room, with a separate annexe for media in the building and proceedings relayed to St George’s Hall in Liverpool.
A jury is expected to be selected later on Monday for the trial, which is due to last up to 16 weeks.
Supporters are crushed against the barrier as disaster strikes before the FA Cup semi-final match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest played at the Hillsborough Stadium in Sheffield
They are expected to be sworn in Tuesday.
The charges relate to the amendment of police officers’ statements following the disaster on April 15 1989.
Ninety-six Liverpool fans were crushed to death in pens at the Leppings Lane end of Hillsborough Stadium at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest.
Judge Mr Justice William Davis told the jury panel he was giving them the night to ‘think carefully’ about whether they would be able to sit on the trial, which he said he expected to finish about the end of June, but could last up until the end of July.
He said on Tuesday that 12 jurors would be selected from the 18, as well as two others who would play a part in some of the trial.
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