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Stephen Port: Met Police failings led to more deaths Stephen Port: Met Police failings led to more deaths
(32 minutes later)
Stephen Port's victims (L-R): Anthony Walgate, Gabriel Kovari, Jack Taylor and Daniel WhitworthStephen Port's victims (L-R): Anthony Walgate, Gabriel Kovari, Jack Taylor and Daniel Whitworth
Failings by the Met Police contributed to the deaths of serial killer Stephen Port's final three victims, an inquest jury has ruled.Failings by the Met Police contributed to the deaths of serial killer Stephen Port's final three victims, an inquest jury has ruled.
Port, 46, is serving a whole-life term for murdering Anthony Walgate, Gabriel Kovari, Daniel Whitworth and Jack Taylor in Barking over 16 months.Port, 46, is serving a whole-life term for murdering Anthony Walgate, Gabriel Kovari, Daniel Whitworth and Jack Taylor in Barking over 16 months.
The deaths were not regarded suspicious until weeks after the fourth murder.The deaths were not regarded suspicious until weeks after the fourth murder.
Each victim died from an overdose of the "date rape" drug GHB between June 2014 and September 2015. The case was branded "one of the most widespread institutional failings in modern history" by the men's families.
Neil Hudgell, a solicitor representing the victims, added: "Our firmly held belief is that the Metropolitan Police's actions were, in part, driven by homophobia."
How Met failings contributed to the deaths of three menHow Met failings contributed to the deaths of three men
Port administered gamma-hydroxybutyrate to all four men, aged in their early 20s, at his east London home. Port killed the four men, who were all aged in their early 20s, by giving them overdoses of the "date rape" drug gamma-hydroxybutyrate (GHB) at his east London home between June 2014 and September 2015.
He was jailed for life at the Old Bailey in 2016 for the murders and a string of sex assaults.He was jailed for life at the Old Bailey in 2016 for the murders and a string of sex assaults.
Port is serving a whole-life term for the four murdersPort is serving a whole-life term for the four murders
Coroner Sarah Munro QC said: "These inquests have, on any view, raised a number of serious concerns."Coroner Sarah Munro QC said: "These inquests have, on any view, raised a number of serious concerns."
She added she would be preparing a prevention of future deaths report.She added she would be preparing a prevention of future deaths report.
The inquests have heard about a long series of failures in the four investigations. The inquests have heard about a long series of failures in the four investigations, including a lack of proper police checks and a failure to send evidence to be forensically examined.
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The sisters of Port's final victim blame police for his deathThe sisters of Port's final victim blame police for his death
Barking Town Hall was told police had ignored multiple chances to uncover that Port had been responsible for the first murder - Anthony Walgate, 23, in June 2014 - with the result being that the later deaths were preventable. The inquest at Barking Town Hall was told police had ignored multiple chances to uncover that Port had been responsible for the first murder - Anthony Walgate, 23, in June 2014 - with the result being the later deaths were preventable.
The jury found that a murder team should have taken over that first inquiry. The jury found a murder team should have taken over that first inquiry.
Families pay tribute to young men murdered by PortFamilies pay tribute to young men murdered by Port
Port case made assumptions about gay communityPort case made assumptions about gay community
The killer the police missedThe killer the police missed
Referring to the inquiries made by officers in Barking and Dagenham into the deaths of Gabriel Kovari, 22, and Daniel Whitworth, 21, the jury said there were "fundamental failings in these investigations from the beginning".Referring to the inquiries made by officers in Barking and Dagenham into the deaths of Gabriel Kovari, 22, and Daniel Whitworth, 21, the jury said there were "fundamental failings in these investigations from the beginning".
This meant Port was free to kill Jack Taylor, 25, a year later.This meant Port was free to kill Jack Taylor, 25, a year later.
The bodies of Gabriel Kovari and Daniel Whitworth were found in the graveyard of St Margaret's ChurchThe bodies of Gabriel Kovari and Daniel Whitworth were found in the graveyard of St Margaret's Church
The inquest also ruled that the failings were by both officers in Barking and in the Met's homicide command. The inquest also ruled the failings were by both officers in Barking and in the Met's homicide command.
In written conclusions, the jury acknowledged officers had faced a "heavy workload", but said there were failures which "cannot be overlooked".In written conclusions, the jury acknowledged officers had faced a "heavy workload", but said there were failures which "cannot be overlooked".
Over weeks of hearings, police admitted that a series of Terrible mistakes were made in serial killer case. Over weeks of hearings, police admitted a series of "terrible mistakes" were made.
The Met failed to carry out basic checks, send evidence to be forensically examined, and exercise professional curiosity while Port was embarking on his killing spree, the inquest heard.The Met failed to carry out basic checks, send evidence to be forensically examined, and exercise professional curiosity while Port was embarking on his killing spree, the inquest heard.
Judge Sarah Munro QC ruled out homophobia as an issue for the jury to consider
Mr Hudgell told a press conference: "We are incensed by the police's successful attempts to prevent the jury from examining whether [homophobic] prejudice played any part in the police's action."
He added that "had the police done their job properly in the first place, Gabriel, Daniel and Jack would not have been killed and other young men would not have been drugged and raped by him".
Met Police Assistant Commissioner Helen Ball described they jury's conclusion as "a devastating finding".
She said: "Our thoughts are with everybody who loved these young men.
"We are so sorry for their loss and we're also deeply sorry that there were failings in the police investigations and response to their murders.
"I give my own and the Met's heartfelt apologies."