Police defend siege suicide claim

Armed police were at the scene when Mr Wardle died

Police have defended their handling of an armed siege after an inquest into the death of a Royal Navy rating from Cornwall returned a verdict of suicide.

Jason Wardle, 29, who was based at RNAS Culdrose, died from a single gunshot at his Helston flat in November 2003.

Despite police attempts to negotiate with him during the incident, he shot himself in the head.

His family said they were disappointed that police operations evidence could not be included in the verdict.

Devon and Cornwall Police said an independent inquiry found there was no criminal case to answer.

Faulty radios

The inquest heard testimony from Mr Wardle's commanding officer that he was regarded as one of the top three air engineers in his squadron.

The inquest also heard police admitting that radios did not work properly at the scene.

Members of the inquest jury delivered a unanimous verdict on Thursday after coroner Dr Elizabeth Carlyon told them they should not include evidence they had heard about the police operation in their decision.

In a statement through their lawyer, the Wardle family said they were "extremely disappointed" at the coroner's ruling to the jury.

Devon and Cornwall Police said it had skilled negotiators and firearms officers available across the force area, and it tried to control situations but could not predict the actions of individuals.

Assistant Chief Constable Richard Stowe said that there were 105 similar incidents in 2005, and that all were concluded without loss of life or serious injury.