From the
https://www.kentonline.co.uk By Annabel Rusbridge-Thomas, 27 October 2015.
Otford: Inquest into death of Russell Jarrett concludes death was accidental.
An inquest has been held into the death of an Otford man which sparked a murder investigation.
Detectives began the probe after Russell Jarrett was found with
severe head injuries at his Otford home in February.
The 53-year-old, of Twitton Meadows, was last seen outside his
property in the early hours of the morning after drinking at The
Crown Pub, in the High Street.
One of the family's favourite photos of Russell Jarrett.
Later that day a friend of Mr Jarrett's used a public telephone to
call 999 and told paramedics the Dartford-born man had "bumped his
head and needed medical attention".
The inquest, held at Gravesend Old Town Hall today, was told the
friend gave false details to the responder.
Det Ch Insp, Tony Ledger, who gave evidence during the hearing,
said: "There was also some confusion between ambulance services as
it was initially said some people ran out of the address on the
ambulance's attendance."
Senior coroner, Roger Hatch, was told Mr Jarrett was found with a
"significant skull fracture" which caused a brain injury and a 3cm x
3cm circular fracture on his right cheek bone.
Russell Jarrett had been at the Crown at Otford.
He was transferred to hospital in Farnborough before being taken to
King's College Hospital where he died from his injuries nine days
later.
The fractures led police to believe Mr Jarrett, who was unemployed,
had been assaulted and a homicide investigation was launched.
Two men and a woman - who were with the 53-year-old the evening
before his death - were arrested on suspicion of murder, but later
released without charge.
The court heard an eye witness came forward and told police they saw
Mr Jarrett fall down the steps of The Crown Pub and sustain the
skull injury, which a pathology report concluded was consistent with
someone falling backwards.
DCI Pledger said Mr Jarrett had a limited circle of family and
friends but relationships with his brother and sister were strained
by his alcohol dependency.
"Mr Jarrett had a 20-year relationship with a woman who died of
kidney failure in 2014, he struggled after this and battled with
alcohol," DCI Pledger added.
Senior coroner, Roger Hatch, was told Mr Jarrett was released from
prison in June 2014. He was sentenced to 60 days after being
convicted of cultivating cannabis in his home.
DCI Pledger added: "This is relevant because it was probable other
people were using his home to cultivate cannabis. This is an example
of how his alcohol dependence and trusting nature led others to take
advantage of his position."
The medical cause of death was given as complications with head
injury, but Mr Hatch recorded a verdict of accidental death.
Speaking after the hearing Mr Jarrett's sister-in-law, Pauline
Jarrett said: "We are just happy it's all over. It's better to know
it was an accident than someone else's involvement. But we will
never truly know what happened.
"It's been such a long process and we're pleased it is over. Russell
was so generous and a loving person he really was lovely.
"It's just so sad because he was still so young and such a wonderful
man."
Mr Jarrett's nephew, Callum, said: "He was such a caring and
trustworthy person, it's incredibly sad." |