Court of Protection Solicitors

The siblings of Plymouth shooter Jake Davison said “catastrophic failures” by both police and Government led to one of the worst mass shootings in British History following an inquest into the killings.

In a statement read outside the court, on behalf of Josh and Zoe Davison, by their solicitor Graeme Rothwell, of Duncan Lewis Solicitors, the pair said the deaths were “obviously avoidable.”

Highlighting the “robust” findings of the jury, the siblings called for sweeping changes to gun laws, including that an effective Preventing Future Deaths Report be produced “from all of these inquests.”

Gunman Jake Davison killed his mother and four members of the public, including a three-year-old child, on August 12, 2021, before ultimately turning the gun on himself.

He used a shotgun that Devon & Cornwall Police had licensed to him in 2017 purporting to have used existing guidelines and licensing legislation. In September 2020, police confiscated the weapon after Davison committed a sustained, unrestrained and misdirected assault on two children, but later handed the weapon back to him.

Following the conclusion of two inquests, one into the shootings of the five victims and another into Davison’s own death, Duncan Lewis’ Graeme Rothwell spoke on behalf of Zoe and Josh outside of the Coroner’s Court:

"Today, my clients have asked those findings reinforce His Majesty’s Coroner’s resolve to make an effective Preventing Future Deaths Report arising from all of these inquests.

"The previous jury’s findings highlighted ‘catastrophic’ failures in local and national policing. Plainly, that jury found that all of these deaths were obviously avoidable.

"The protection of the public requires action now - in contrast to the decades of institutional indolence, insouciance and incompetence locally and at the highest levels of government and policing.

"The bereaved in today’s inquest, and the public, deserve better than more paper promises.

"Zoe and Josh Davison therefore ask His Majesty’s Coroner do all he can as soon as he can to make recommendations for actions, not words, that might begin at long last to protect the public from future atrocities."

A comprehensive Preventing Future Deaths Report is being expedited and is expected to be completed shortly.

The failings highlighted by the jury’s findings, which contributed to the shootings and which will likely be used to make widespread changes to UK gun laws included:

• That Devon & Cornwall Police [Firearms and Explosives Licensing Unit (or ‘FELU’)] made serious errors in granting Jake Davison’s application for a shotgun licence and by failing to revoke it in 2020


• Following the assault on two children in 2020, the force made an unreasonable decision to charge the assault as one of battery and to properly investigate whether it was safe to return the shotgun and certificate, after initially seizing them


• The force did not have robust systems in place concerning the training of FELU staff, or to ensure decisions were made at the correct level.
  
• Sufficient medical information was not taken in respect of the initial shotgun licence application


• FELU failed to properly obtain and consider all the relevant evidence before deciding whether to grant the licence.
  
• A lack of national accredited firearms licensing training failed to equip police staff to protect the public.


• There was a catastrophic failure in the management of the FELU, with a lack of managerial supervision, inadequate and ineffective leadership.


The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said a criminal investigation into possible health and safety breaches by Devon and Cornwall Police was ongoing.

Plymouth's senior coroner Ian Arrow praised the jury for their efforts over the course of the six-week inquest and the advocates, noting that he was struck by the high degree of collaboration. He also thanked them for their assistance in helping him prepare a Prevention of Future Deaths report.

Duncan Lewis’ specialist inquest team provides expert advice on all matters relating to inquests.

Experienced Claims Against Public Authorities director and solicitor Graeme Rothwell instructed barrister Nick Stanage, of Doughty Street Chambers.

Graeme is expert in holding public authorities to account when they abuse their powers, fail to observe their professional obligations, or otherwise act unlawfully. He has assisted a wide variety of clients as a result of their experiences at the hands of the state and regularly represents bereaved families in inquest proceedings and assists in bringing civil claims against the police, the prison service and government departments.

For advice in relation to inquests, contact Graeme via email graemer@duncanlewis.com or via telephone on 020 7275 2886.