3 G4S officers face manslaughter charges for plane death
Three G4S custody officers are facing manslaughter charges over the death of Jimmy Mubenga, who died on a plane while being deported from the UK.
Colin Kaler, Terrence Hughes and Stuart Tribelnig will, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) confirmed, face prosecution.
In July 2012, the CPS made the decision that no charges should be brought in relation to Mubenga’s death but the case was reconsidered following the verdict of unlawful killing at the inquest. It said in a statement today:
We have completed a fresh review of all of the evidence relating to the death of Jimmy Mubenga, including the new evidence arising from the inquest, and decided that three men should be prosecuted for manslaughter.
There is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and it is in the public interest to prosecute Colin Kaler, Terrence Hughes and Stuart Tribelnig.
46-year-old Mubenga died after becoming ill as a flight prepared to leave Heathrow for Angola in October 2010.
The three defendants were employed by G4S Care and Justice Services UK as detainee custody officers and were tasked with removing Mubenga from the UK to Angola.
The CPS says it also considered whether G4S should be prosecuted for corporate manslaughter, but said: “We have concluded that there is insufficient evidence to prosecute G4S for either offence and, due to the fact that related proceedings are now active, it would be inappropriate to comment further.”
The three men will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on 7 April.
The CPS added:
We will be writing to the family of Mr Mubenga to explain our decision making, to offer a meeting should they so wish and again offer our condolences.