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PC Debra Martin 'coerced to change Hillsborough notes' | PC Debra Martin 'coerced to change Hillsborough notes' |
(40 minutes later) | |
A former policewoman has claimed she was coerced into changing her evidence about the Hillsborough disaster. | A former policewoman has claimed she was coerced into changing her evidence about the Hillsborough disaster. |
Ex-special constable Debra Martin said she got a visit from two officers and pressured to change a written statement on the tragedy, which claimed 96 lives. | Ex-special constable Debra Martin said she got a visit from two officers and pressured to change a written statement on the tragedy, which claimed 96 lives. |
Ms Martin, on duty in the ground at the time in 1989, said her evidence related to the death of Kevin Williams, 15, at Sheffield Wednesday's ground. | Ms Martin, on duty in the ground at the time in 1989, said her evidence related to the death of Kevin Williams, 15, at Sheffield Wednesday's ground. |
South Yorkshire Police said the claim was not new and would not add comment. | South Yorkshire Police said the claim was not new and would not add comment. |
MPs are debating whether a new inquest should be held into Kevin's death, after an e-petition to parliament reached the 100,000 signature threshold. | MPs are debating whether a new inquest should be held into Kevin's death, after an e-petition to parliament reached the 100,000 signature threshold. |
'Still breathing' | |
The original inquest in 1991 returned a verdict of accidental death on him, ruling that 95 of the 96 victims were dead by 15:15. A 96th supporter, Tony Bland, fell into a coma and died in hospital in 1993. | |
Speaking about Kevin's death, Ms Martin said: "He was still breathing at 3.15 (15.15) | |
"I stayed with him, I was definitely sure that between 3.50 (15.50) and just gone four o'clock (16.00) that is when Kevin died. | "I stayed with him, I was definitely sure that between 3.50 (15.50) and just gone four o'clock (16.00) that is when Kevin died. |
"He didn't die at quarter past three. | "He didn't die at quarter past three. |
"I was wearing a watch, a perfectly good watch, it was working. | "I was wearing a watch, a perfectly good watch, it was working. |
"Being a police officer, it's a watch you stand by." | "Being a police officer, it's a watch you stand by." |
Ms Martin told BBC News a female police officer and her male colleague visited her on a number of occasions and pressured her into making changes to timings she noted. | Ms Martin told BBC News a female police officer and her male colleague visited her on a number of occasions and pressured her into making changes to timings she noted. |
Ms Martin said: "The WPC was with a male colleague and they visited me at least three to four times over consecutive weekends. | Ms Martin said: "The WPC was with a male colleague and they visited me at least three to four times over consecutive weekends. |
"She treated me horribly and basically said I'd never been at Hillsborough so I said, 'Well, I've seen myself on film footage so I said sorry you're lying there'." | "She treated me horribly and basically said I'd never been at Hillsborough so I said, 'Well, I've seen myself on film footage so I said sorry you're lying there'." |
Ms Martin said the female officer who visited her told her of the remit she had been given. | Ms Martin said the female officer who visited her told her of the remit she had been given. |
Mother's petition | Mother's petition |
"She basically said that she'd been told from people, that she'd got to do her job and that job was to tie loose ends up," Ms Martin said. | "She basically said that she'd been told from people, that she'd got to do her job and that job was to tie loose ends up," Ms Martin said. |
"I've always wanted to come forward and let people know there was a cover up. I never blamed South Yorkshire Police at all but when I'm looking at it closer now. | "I've always wanted to come forward and let people know there was a cover up. I never blamed South Yorkshire Police at all but when I'm looking at it closer now. |
"Whatever has happened, it needs to come out, people need to realise there are two statements, my original and this horrible copy that has been done." | "Whatever has happened, it needs to come out, people need to realise there are two statements, my original and this horrible copy that has been done." |
Kevin's mother, Anne Williams, contests the accidental death verdict at her son Kevin's original inquest. | Kevin's mother, Anne Williams, contests the accidental death verdict at her son Kevin's original inquest. |
Kevin, who was 15 at the time, was one of the Liverpool fans who died after the crush at Sheffield Wednesday's stadium during Liverpool's FA Cup semi-final match against Nottingham Forest. | Kevin, who was 15 at the time, was one of the Liverpool fans who died after the crush at Sheffield Wednesday's stadium during Liverpool's FA Cup semi-final match against Nottingham Forest. |
Mrs Williams and her supporters say Kevin was still alive at 16:00. | Mrs Williams and her supporters say Kevin was still alive at 16:00. |
His mother, from Liverpool, set up the e-petition urging the government to open a new inquest under section 13 of the Coroner's Act, wanting the accidental death verdict to be overturned. | His mother, from Liverpool, set up the e-petition urging the government to open a new inquest under section 13 of the Coroner's Act, wanting the accidental death verdict to be overturned. |