 Mrs Whiting (left) was shot by her
estranged husband, Leonard Carter
(right) during an armed siege in 1995 |
FOLLOWING a
recent meeting with Kent Police Authority, South Norfolk MP Richard Bacon said he was
hopeful there would be a positive outcome for a Norfolk
family who risk losing their home following legal action by
the Kent police.
Mrs Catherine Elvin, of Winfarthing, Norfolk, had tried to
sue the Kent police |
after her mother Lorraine Whiting slowly bled to death following a shooting incident. Mrs Whiting's estranged husband Leonard Carter shot her in the legs before he shot himself dead.
But Kent police refused to allow paramedics
to enter the premises, fearing the gunman was still alive, and
after a 61 minute phone call to emergency services pleading for
help, Mrs Whiting bled to death. Kent police have sought to
recover their £92,000 legal costs from Mrs Elvin and recently
placed a charge on the family home in Winfarthing, Norfolk. The
case was due to be heard at Central London County Court next
Tuesday 20 September, but has now been postponed.
After Mr Bacon and the Elvin family met today with the Chair of
Kent Police Authority, Mrs Ann Barnes JP, at the authority's
offices in Maidstone, Mr Bacon said:
“I am most grateful to Mrs Barnes for agreeing to meet with the
family and me. Mrs Barnes was very sympathetic and she certainly
understood the distress which has been caused to the Elvin
family. The meeting was held in a highly constructive
atmosphere.”
“As a result of the meeting I believe there is now light at the
end of the tunnel. Although I cannot discuss details, there is
now a reasonable solution available which is fair to both the
police and to the family, who would be able to keep their home”.
“Mrs Barnes will make a formal recommendation to the next full
meeting of Kent Police Authority in two weeks' time, and if the
Authority accepts her recommendation then the family will be
able to move on and this dreadful chapter can be closed. In the
meantime, Mrs Barnes has most helpfully offered to place a stay
on the court proceedings which were due to have taken place next
Tuesday 20 September”.
14 September 2005
LOCAL NEWS: MP and siege family to meet with Kent police
