Inquests taking place in Northamptonshire this week

Inquests are held when a death is untimely, or when someone dies suddenly or unexpectedly, or in custody.

A coroner’s job is to investigate who died, when they died, where they died, and how they died. Their job is not to apportion blame.

All lists of forthcoming inquests are public, and the hearings themselves are held in public. This is to help uphold the principle of open justice – because justice must not only be done, but must also be seen to be done.

Public scrutiny ensures that coronial proceedings are transparent, and that unexpected or violent deaths cannot be covered up by those who may have been involved in them.

Media reporting of those inquests ensures that the public can hear the facts for themselves, allaying public rumour, doubt or suspicion, particularly in a social media environment.

Holding inquests in public can also prevent future deaths of a similar nature.

In Northamptonshire, inquests are almost always held at the Guildhall in St Giles’ Square, Northampton, and are open to the public. The senior coroner is Anne Pember, who has many decades of legal experience after starting out in criminal law. She has several assistants to help with the coronial workload.

A coroner can call witnesses to help her establish the facts around a death. At the end of the hearing, she will provide a verdict on the death.

Here are the inquests that will take place this week. Some of the hearings are inquest openings, and will be adjourned until a later date to allow further investigations to take place.

Tuesday, November 10

10am (pre inquest hearing)

Joanna Robinson, age 51.

Died Thursday, April 29, 2021, at Coventry.

Coroner: Anne Pember

Wednesday, November 11

10am

Thomas Bucher, age 31.

Died Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at Kettering.

Coroner: Sophie Lomas.

Thursday, November 12

10am

Lewis Anthony Armour, age 35.

Died Sunday, November 24, 2024, at the A4500 Earls Barton.

Coroner: Anne Pember.

2pm (pre inquest hearing)

Saifullah Ayub, age 45.

Died Tuesday 12 November, 2024, at Northampton.

Coroner: Jonathan Dixey.

Friday, November 13

10am

Leigh David McQueen, age 53.

Died Friday, October 13, 2024, at Kettering.

Coroner: Hassan Shah.

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