Unlawful killing verdict for charity worker killed in India
22/07/2009
A coroner at an inquest in Lancashire for a charity worker who died after being attacked in India has recorded a verdict of unlawful killing.
The Inquest into the death of Michael Blakey was heard yesterday (21.07.2009) before HM Coroner for East Lancashire at the Magistrates Court, Burnley, Lancashire.
At the time of his death Michael was a volunteer worker for the Tong-Len Charity in Dharamasala, in Himachal Preadesh, Northern India.
Pathologist Dr Charles Wilson said Michael died from neck and head injuries caused by a "sustained and forceful assault." His family said they were satisfied with the verdict and would now take the case to the Foreign Office in a bid to push the Indian authorities to restart a murder investigation.
Outside the court Michael's mother Mary Whitford said: “This was the verdict which we had always wanted. We can now go to the Foreign Office and say to them that a British citizen has been unlawfully killed abroad and can they do something about it.”.
Michael Blakey's mother was represented at the inquest by John Hobson of GCN instructed by Farleys Solicitors
Media coverage
> 22/7/09 - Pressure call over Burnley man's brutal death in India (Lancashire Telegraph)
