Christopher Kapessa river death: No prosecution decision upheld

A 14-year-old boy who pushed a boy, 13, into a river before he died will not be prosecuted, a review has concluded.

Christopher Kapessa's body was found in the River Cynon near Mountain Ash, Rhondda Cynon Taff on 1 July 2019.

The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said it upheld its earlier decision that he was pushed into the river as a foolish prank.

His family said it had treated a "black child's life cheaper than the public interest afforded to the suspect".

In February, the CPS concluded that although there was sufficient evidence for a prosecution for manslaughter it was not in the public interest to proceed.

But the family appealed the decision under the CPS's Victims' Right to Review scheme, which allows victims to request that a prosecutor, not previously involved in the case, re-examine the case to ensure the correct decision was made for the right legal reasons.

On Monday the CPS said the prosecutor had upheld the earlier decision.

The review found the push amounted in law to a common assault and was therefore an unlawful act.

It also found the push resulted in Christopher's death and so there was a "realistic prospect of conviction for manslaughter".

But it maintained a prosecution would not be in the public interest.

Jenny Hopkins, who oversees the appeals and review unit within the CPS, said: "Although there was evidence to support a prosecution for manslaughter it was not in the public interest to prosecute.

"Christopher's tragic death occurred after a group of children went out to have fun by the river.

"The evidence showed that Christopher was pushed into the river as a foolish prank with nothing to suggest that the suspect intended to harm him, although that was the awful consequence."

She said they had considered the young age of the suspect, his lack of a criminal record and otherwise good character.

She said the "principal aim of the youth justice system is to prevent offending and there is no suggestion that the suspect would commit further offences".

The welfare and impact on Christopher's friends who may be called to give evidence and have to relive the death of their friend was also considered, she said.

Concluding, she said: "The factors militating against a prosecution outweighed the factors in favour of a prosecution.

"We recognise our decision will be upsetting for the family who may feel the suspect's life has been prioritised over Christopher's...

"We have applied our legal test to the evidence and I hope they can understand how and why we came to the decision."

The CPS also said there was nothing in any of the statements of the young people that suggested any racial issues or that this was a hate crime.

Evidence presented to the CPS showed the day before Christopher's death he and several other children had visited the Red Bridge over the Cynon River after school. Some had jumped from the bridge into the water but Christopher had not and the day had passed without incident.

On the day of his death, Christopher had returned to the bridge near Fernhill and was among about 16 young people.

Witnesses told police Christopher made his way to the rocks, changed into swimming trunks and took off his top, his glasses and his footwear.

Some of the group recalled him saying that he really wanted to jump in while others stated that Christopher told them he could not swim and they told him not to jump in.

Just before he entered the water, Christopher was on the rocks with three other boys.

Witnesses described Christopher being pushed by the suspect from behind as a foolish prank and falling into the water, taking another boy in with him.

Almost immediately some of the group realised that Christopher was in difficulties.

The suspect and some other children jumped in very quickly to try and help him but were unable to rescue him.

Christopher's mother Alina Joseph said on Monday: "The decision taken by the CPS not to prosecute those responsible for the death of my son goes against all the principles of equality and justice and the inequality that many campaigners have fought to eradicate for many years.

"I keep hoping for justice but it seems that I have to fight for it at every given step and turn."

The Christopher Kapessa Family Justice Campaign described the review decision as "perverse" and "not simply a gross injustice given the facts of the case but represents a damning landmark for Criminal Justice Agencies for Wales and the rest of the United Kingdom."

Reflecting on the previous decision by the CPS not to prosecute, it said: "At that time, we stated that this was a perverse decision because it considered a black child's life cheaper than the public interest afforded to the suspect."

It said Ms Joseph was considering lodging a judicial review against the CPS' decision and seeking a personal intervention of the Justice Secretary through her MP.

Ms Joseph's lawyer Hilary Brown said the decision "sends a message that his life did not matter".

She added: "Christopher did not lose his life as a result of an accident or by his own actions. Christopher was pushed to his death by someone and the criminal justice system in the UK should seek to ensure that justice is delivered for Christopher and his family.

"After studying the CPS review, we are now in the process of examining all our legal options."

Christopher's family also made a complaint to the police watchdog, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), about how South Wales Police managed the investigation.

An IOPC spokeswoman said: "Our investigation into South Wales Police's investigative steps following the recovery of Christopher Kapessa's body from the River Cynon was partially suspended while the Crown Prosecution Service reviewed its charging decision following a request from Christopher's family.

"Our investigation is considering whether South Wales Police acted in accordance with relevant policies and procedures in investigating Christopher's death.

"While we have made good progress, we have some outstanding lines of inquiry which we will work to complete now the CPS has made its decision."

South Wales Police has previously said it had "full confidence" in its investigation.

Responding to the CPS upholding its decision not to prosecute on Monday, a spokesman said the force was "committed to implementing any opportunities for learning".

"We can only imagine how difficult the past year has been for Christopher's family and the pain and grief that they are enduring after his tragic death," he said.

"The tragic death of Christopher deeply shocked the local community as well and we continue to work closely with support agencies to ensure the right help is there for all those that need it."