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Drowning inquest could reopen Drowning inquest could reopen
(about 2 hours later)
Fresh evidence could lead to a second inquest being held into the deaths of a father and his toddler son who were found in the sea off West Sussex.Fresh evidence could lead to a second inquest being held into the deaths of a father and his toddler son who were found in the sea off West Sussex.
Alan Watkins, 50, from Southwark, south-east London, and two-year-old Arun Watkins died during a seaside trip to Littlehampton in June 2007.Alan Watkins, 50, from Southwark, south-east London, and two-year-old Arun Watkins died during a seaside trip to Littlehampton in June 2007.
The coroner has been given permission to apply to High Court to quash the original accidental death verdicts. The coroner has applied to the High Court to quash accidental death verdicts recorded last year.
Sussex Police said they were unable to disclose details of the new evidence.Sussex Police said they were unable to disclose details of the new evidence.
A spokesperson for the force said West Sussex coroner Penny Schofield has yet to make the application to the High Court. West Sussex coroner Penny Schofield said she had been granted permission to appeal by the attorney general and expected a final decision from the High Court "any day now".
If permission for a second inquest is granted, it could be held later this year and could lead to officers from Sussex Police reopening their investigations.If permission for a second inquest is granted, it could be held later this year and could lead to officers from Sussex Police reopening their investigations.
Murder investigatedMurder investigated
The original inquest in Worthing heard Arun's body was found off the coast of Littlehampton without a lifejacket or armbands, and his "devoted" father's body was discovered two days later.The original inquest in Worthing heard Arun's body was found off the coast of Littlehampton without a lifejacket or armbands, and his "devoted" father's body was discovered two days later.
Mr Watkins and Arun were reported missing by the toddler's mother, nurse Sheena Watkins.Mr Watkins and Arun were reported missing by the toddler's mother, nurse Sheena Watkins.
The court heard Mr Watkins had accessed a suicide website before his death and had taken news that his wife of four years had filed for divorce badly.The court heard Mr Watkins had accessed a suicide website before his death and had taken news that his wife of four years had filed for divorce badly.
Sussex Police's major crime branch examined whether their deaths were not accidental, including the possibility that Mr Watkins murdered Arun and then killed himself, but initially police found no evidence of foul play.Sussex Police's major crime branch examined whether their deaths were not accidental, including the possibility that Mr Watkins murdered Arun and then killed himself, but initially police found no evidence of foul play.
Post-mortem examinations ruled Mr Watkins and Arun died from drowning and toxicology tests found no signs of illegal drugs in either of them, as well as no significant injuries.Post-mortem examinations ruled Mr Watkins and Arun died from drowning and toxicology tests found no signs of illegal drugs in either of them, as well as no significant injuries.
Mr Watkins's wife told the hearing that although they continued living as a family, he had not taken the move to divorce well.Mr Watkins's wife told the hearing that although they continued living as a family, he had not taken the move to divorce well.