Maddy Cusack inquest delayed to June after family blames Sheffield United

Goal reports the family of Maddy Cusack say Sheffield United have caused an "unacceptable" delay after a pre-inquest hearing at Chesterfield Crown Court vacated this week's hearing and pushed the full inquest back until June. The family's lawyer, Dean Armstrong KC, described the situation as "extremely disappointing" and told the court the club submitted a 699-page document on December 15, leaving relatives "having to get to grips with a 699-page document" over the festive period and with insufficient time to prepare.

Sheffield United's counsel, Joseph O'Brien KC, told the court the club "strongly reject" Mr Armstrong's characterisation and said any suggestion the club had deliberately contributed to the adjournment was "wholly without merit," adding the club had "complied with everything that was required within the spirit of trying to ensure the inquest went ahead this month." Coroner Sophie Cartwright said "in fairness to Sheffield United" their submission had technically been made in "good time" against the court's adjusted timetable and explained delays in the family receiving documents were partly due to court processing and necessary redactions; she offered a personal apology, saying "You’ve been in my thoughts over this Christmas period" and apologised for the delay.

Key Topics

Sports, Maddy Cusack, Sheffield United, Chesterfield Crown Court, Dean Armstrong, Sophie Cartwright