PSNI given 12 weeks to redact files for Katie Simpson inquest

By Claudia Savage, Press Association

The PSNI will take 12 weeks to redact files relevant to the inquest investigating the death of showjumper Katie Simpson, a court has heard.

Simpson, 21, from Tynan, Co Armagh, died at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry almost a week after an incident in Gortnessy Meadows, Lettershandoney, Co Derry, on August 3rd 2020.

Police originally thought it was a suicide but the following year Jonathan Creswell, the partner of Simpson’s sister, was arrested on suspicion of murder.

The trial of Creswell, 36, for murder ended in April last year after his sudden death.

Simpson’s death is due to be examined at an inquest by coroner Joe McCrisken.

A pre-inquest review last year heard there were 352 police files to be examined, with between 25,000 and 29,000 pages, including 44 police reports, 77 transmission files, a list of 165 exhibits, 237 statements and 53 interview files.

At Laganside court on Friday, counsel for the coroner Philip Henry said some 40-50 files previously deemed potentially relevant had now been ruled out.

He outlined that parties had been provided with a provisional decision from the judge on redaction of files and that some witness statements had been taken on the issue.

Henry said the judge would have to deal with “relatively complicated law” to come to the final decision.

Once a final decision is relayed to parties, it will allow the PSNI to complete their redaction of documents, which has been on hold, and is expected to take 12 weeks.

The court agreed to reconvene on November 4th.