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Tributes at the spot in Harmood Street where Kevin Jessup, inset, was found dead |
Family in search for truth about carpenter found dead in street
Mystery surrounds man’s death as inquest fails to reach conclusion on what led to tragedy
THE family of a carpenter who died after collapsing in the street say their search for the truth behind his death will go on after an inquest failed to established what happened to him.
Kevin Jessup, 44, died from a blood clot to the brain at the Royal Free Hospital a day after he was found lying in the middle of Harmood Street, Chalk Farm, five days before Christmas last year.
At an inquest on Tuesday, Coroner Dr Andrew Reid recorded an open verdict and said he did not know whether Mr Jessup, a father of three from Sydenham in south-east London, was pushed to the ground or had fallen.
He had been assaulted at a flat in Camden Town the night before his death, the court heard.
A family statement released by his sister and niece read: “We as a family just want and need to know the truth about what happened to Kevin – how he received his injury and how he died. We are not trying to blame anyone. If anyone has committed a crime, either accidentally or with intent, they should be punished. We want the truth and justice, as any other family would when you lose a loved family member in such terrible and tragic circumstances.”
Four men were arrested on suspicion of murder, but no one has been charged in connection with Mr Jessup’s death. The men were released after the Crown Prosecution ruled the evidence against them was “insufficient”.
Mr Jessup’s mobile phone and cash – including his week’s wages – have never been recovered.
Detectives defended their investigation.
Family liaison officer Detective Constable Paul Webb said: “As far as I’m concerned they had a golden service off the Met. Any criticism is wholly unfair.”
Dr Reid heard how Mr Jessup was assaulted at Dolores Clough’s flat in Farrier Street, Kentish Town, before collapsing at the foot of her communal stairway. Witnesses in court described the assault as either a “punch” or a “head-butt”. Ms Clough has not been linked to any police investigation and there is no question of any wrong-doing.
Mr Jessup lay untouched for several hours until he was woken by Ms Clough’s son, Martin Delaney, and his friend John McNamara at around 5.30am.
The court heard that while footage of the trio walking towards Kentish Town Road was retrieved by police, CCTV from the cash-points they visited had been wiped automatically on a 21-day reset cycle.
Police said £200 was withdrawn from Mr Jessup’s account in his presence. Another £50 was then withdrawn while attempts to take out more cash the following day – when he was in hospital – were declined.
Marina Sergides, the solicitor who represented his family in court, questioning Mr Delaney, asked: “Did you take the card?”
He replied: “No.”
She then asked: “Did you push him?”
He said: “If I done that why would I tell police to check the cameras?”
When asked whether he attacked Mr Jessup, he replied: “No.”
Dr Reid said: “The evidence did not determine the mechanism by which Mr Jessup tripped, slipped or fell in Harmood Street and the possibility of him being pushed cannot be excluded. [But] there is no evidence the people he was with that evening were there.”
Dr Reid accepted evidence from a medical expert that Mr Jessup’s alcohol level could have caused him to fall.
His mother Jean described him as a “loving father and a loving son”.
Yesterday (Wednesday), a Crown Prosecution spokeswoman said they had recommended the investigation be opened again, but police feel they have exhausted all lines of inquiry and have closed the case.
“The case is concluded,” said leading officer DCI Howard Groves, who took over the case a day after Mr Jessup’s death.
“The coroner could not say whether there was a possibility someone pushed him over. It doesn’t change my investigation. We did everything we could.” |
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