Open verdict for 'rape' inquest

Sara Clark fell to her death days after reporting the attack

A coroner recorded an open verdict in the inquest of a woman who fell to her death from a motorway bridge just days after telling police she was raped.

Sara Clark, 18, of Totton, Hampshire, was found dead under the bridge on the M27 near Southampton on 2 June. The alleged attack occurred on 30 May.

Police referred their investigation to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) when Ms Clark died.

Jagat Mawari, of Calmore, was remanded in custody in connection with the case.

Det Cons Paul Travers, from Hampshire Constabulary, who was investigating the complaint, told Southampton Coroner's Court on Thursday that Ms Clark's allegations had taken the "normal course of events" and that the investigation was in its early stages when she died.

This must have been a devastating blow for both of you Southampton coroner Keith Wiseman

IPCC investigator Alexander Ives told the court that there were recommendations in his report, which cannot be released at the moment for legal reasons, to improve keeping alleged victims of crime informed about what was happening.

A post-mortem examination found Ms Clark was three times over the drink-drive limit when she fell and her GP said she had been treated for depression in the past.

Southampton coroner Keith Wiseman told the inquest Ms Clark was "troubled in her personal life".

Her father, Howell, said everything had "seemed perfectly normal" when he had last seen his daughter but he instinctively knew she was dead when he switched on the radio and heard news about the death, the court heard.

Recording the open verdict, Mr Wiseman said he could not be sure "beyond reasonable doubt" that Ms Clark had intended to take her life.

He said he was not naive and there was a "reasonable possibility" she had intended to take her life but he could not be sure as there were no eyewitnesses and no note.

He also added that Ms Clark was significantly drunk and this would have affected her judgment.

Speaking to her parents, Mr Wiseman said: "This must have been a devastating blow for both of you."

Mr Mawari is expected to appear before Bournemouth Crown Court on 11 January.