Wife arrested over judge's death

Mrs Chubb is being questioned by Somerset Police

The widow of a judge who was killed in an explosion at his home has been questioned by police.

Jennifer Chubb was released on bail on Thursday evening by detectives at Bridgwater police station in Somerset.

Her husband, 58-year-old Andrew Chubb died in July 2001 in a fire in a wooden garage at their home in Leigh, near Chard.

An inquest in December 2001 recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Police bail

Mrs Chubb, a mother-of-three, was arrested on Wednesday by Avon and Somerset Police in connection with the death.

She was released on police bail, and returned to the police station on Thursday for further questioning before being released again.

No charges have been brought against her.

Judge Chubb, who appeared as junior counsel in the prosecution of Gloucester serial killer Rosemary West, had told his wife of 34 years he wanted a divorce.

An hour later he went outside to a garage where lawnmowers and petrol were stored.

Mrs Chubb told the inquest at Wells in Somerset she then saw the garage explode.

Evidence burnt

The inquest heard neither Mrs Chubb nor her husband had ever considered the garage a fire hazard, and Mrs Chubb had "no idea" what caused the explosion.

Somerset fire investigation officers found the intensity of the fire had destroyed clues about its cause.

Coroner Tony Williams rejected possible verdicts of suicide or unlawful killing.

But Judge Chubb's mistress Kerry Sparrow described the result as "absolute rubbish", and threatened to refer the decision to the Home Office.