No legal costs can be introduced after an ice hockey participant’s throat was fatally slashed with a skate throughout a match.
Adam Johnson, 29, died after the ‘freak accident’ whereas the Sheffield Steelers and Nottingham Panthers clashed in October 2023.
One month after the match at Utilita Area in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, skilled participant Matt Petgrave, 29, was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter.
The Crown Prosecution Service in the present day gave an replace that no costs can be introduced.
Michael Quinn, Deputy Chief Crown Prosecutor, stated: ‘This was a surprising and deeply upsetting incident. The CPS and South Yorkshire Police have labored intently collectively to find out whether or not any legal costs needs to be introduced in opposition to the opposite ice hockey participant concerned.
‘Following an intensive police investigation and a complete evaluate of all of the proof by the CPS, we now have concluded that there’s not a practical prospect of conviction for any legal offence and so there is not going to be a prosecution. Our ideas stay with the household and buddies of Adam Johnson.’
The match, which Adam’s household had been watching on a reside stream, was deserted within the thirty fifth minute, with all 8,000 spectators requested to go away Sheffield’s Utilita Area.
Adam’s demise was confirmed by his group on Sunday morning. A autopsy examination confirmed his reason behind demise as a neck damage.
The Nottingham Panthers stated in a tribute that the group was ‘really devastated’ by the ‘freak accident’.
They stated: ‘Adam, our quantity 47, was not solely an impressive ice hockey participant but in addition an awesome teammate and an unimaginable individual together with his entire life forward of him. The Membership will dearly miss him and can by no means ever neglect him.’
On a web page crowdfunding for his authorized prices, which has raised over £18,000, Mr Petgrave wrote: ‘On October 28, 2023, I used to be concerned in a tragic accident that resulted within the passing of fellow ice hockey participant Adam Johnson.
‘There’s an ongoing police investigation and the authorized course of has been lengthy and difficult.
‘I wish to specific my deepest gratitude to everybody who has supported me, together with my teammates, fellow gamers, and league personnel, who’ve stood by me from the start and proceed to take action. Your assist has been invaluable to me and my household throughout this extremely troublesome time.’
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