Caroline Flack 'hit boyfriend over cheating fears', inquest hears

Image copyright Reuters Image caption Caroline Flack was found dead at her home in Stoke Newington

Caroline Flack struck her boyfriend while he slept because she suspected he was cheating, an inquest has heard.

The ex-Love Island host was found "covered in blood" while Lewis Burton had a head wound in December 2019.

A senior officer said a decision to bring an assault charge - after prosecutors initially pursued a caution - was not "motivated" by celebrity.

But Ms Flack's mother Chris said if "it was an ordinary person, you wouldn't have been bothered".

Ms Flack was found dead at her home in Stoke Newington, London in February, while she was facing trial accused of assaulting Mr Burton - a charge she denied.

The inquest at Poplar Coroner's Court previously heard the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) had sought a caution, but withdrew it after the Met Police said it believed it was in the public interest to charge Ms Flack with assault.

Image copyright PA Media Image caption Witnesses and lawyers are listening into the hearing at Poplar Coroner's Court remotely

A section from the police incident report was read out in court earlier, in which Ms Flack said: "I did it, I whacked him round the head like that", gesturing a swinging motion with her right hand to police.

She told officers "I hit him, he was cheating on me" and "I admit I did it, I used the phone".

Based on this evidence the CPS decided to caution Ms Flack for assault, but Scotland Yard urged the CPS to seek a prosecution, the inquest heard.

Det Insp Lauren Bateman told the court Ms Flack had not made it clear in a police interview later what she was admitting to.

During the interview, Ms Flack said she had flicked Mr Burton "to wake him up", and did not believe she caused his injury.

Image copyright PA Media Image caption Flowers were left outside Caroline Flack's former home after she died in February

Coroner Mary Hassell suggested Det Insp Bateman was "splitting hairs" in what she considered to be Ms Flack's admission of guilt.

But the officer replied: "In my view, it wasn't a clear admission of what had happened."

Det Insp Bateman said a senior lawyer had to make the final decision whether or not a caution was insufficient, and in her opinion a caution for the sort of offence was not in line with guidance.

It was decided it was in the public interest to authorise a charge of assault by beating, particularly considering the domestic violence allegation.

Mr Burton said he did not support the charge, and said Ms Flack "was not in a good place emotionally".

'You should be disgusted'

At the inquest Ms Flack's mother criticised the police decision.

She told Det Insp Bateman: "No real evidence was put forward. If it was an ordinary person, you wouldn't have been bothered.

"You should be disgusted with yourself.

"That girl killed herself because you put an appeal through."

Image copyright PA Media Image caption Ms Flack was due to face trial for assault in March

Deputy chief crown prosecutor Lisa Ramsarran said: "Caroline accepted she caused the injury.

"But the explanation essentially amounted to it being an accident, which is a defence and was the disputed issue which was going to be the issue at trial."

Det Insp Bateman told the inquest the decision to charge Ms Flack was "absolutely not" motivated in part by her celebrity status.

She said: "I would have done exactly the same if it had been anyone.

"All I can say is I was not biased and I treat everyone the same."

The inquest is due to conclude later.

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