No charges for ice hockey player following the death of Adam Johnson
The Crown Prosecution Service has decided it will not bring criminal charges against a professional ice hockey player following the death of Adam Johnson during a match between The Sheffield Steelers and The Nottingham Panthers.
Michael Quinn, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor, said: “This was a shocking and deeply upsetting incident. The CPS and South Yorkshire Police have worked closely together to determine whether any criminal charges should be brought against the other ice hockey player involved.
“Following a thorough police investigation and a comprehensive review of all the evidence by the CPS, we have concluded that there is not a realistic prospect of conviction for any criminal offence and so there will not be a prosecution. Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Adam Johnson.”
Notes to editors
- Michael Quinn is the Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor for CPS Yorkshire and Humberside
- Under the Victims’ Rights to Review scheme if a new decision is reached, it may be appropriate to institute or reinstitute criminal proceedings
- The right to request a review of a decision not to prosecute under the VRR scheme applies to Full Code Test decisions that have made by a Crown Prosecutor, regardless of their grade or position in the organisation
- It is important to note that the “right” referred to in the context of the VRR scheme is the right to request a review of a final decision. It is not a guarantee that proceedings will be instituted or reinstituted
- Following a review under the scheme, qualifying decisions not to charge, to discontinue or to withdraw can be instituted or reinstituted, subject to any statutory time limits
- There are two possible review outcomes:
- A New Decision: when the earlier decision is overturned
- Uphold Previous Decision: the original decision not to prosecute is upheld, and the victim notified and provided with an explanation.