Hillsborough inquest jury to consider verdict in February

The daily evidence hearings are set to be completed by Christmas at the coroner’s court in Warrington.

Coroner Sir John Goldring has told the jury the final phase of the hearings, consisting of medical and pathological evidence for each of the 96 Liverpool fans who died in the 1989 tragedy, were likely to have been concluded before a Christmas break and there was no further evidence expected after that.

He is set to start his summing up of the case on January 25 and anticipates it will take around three weeks.

Sir John said: “After it’s over, you will retire to consider a series of written questions which will be carefully set out for you.”

The inquests will not be sitting in the week beginning February 15 due to a half-term break, meaning it’s likely the jury will begin considering their decision around February 22, although the coroner said the dates were not “set in stone”.

He added: “A little reassurance: you will be provided with as much help as is possible to enable you to answer the questions. So don’t worry about it.

“I can’t obviously forecast how long it will take you to reach your decisions.

“I can’t therefore say by when the inquests will be over.”