Ruling over dead judge challenged

Mr Chubb died an hour after asking his wife for a divorce

The mistress of a judge who died in an explosion at his Somerset home is challenging an inquest ruling which said his death was accidental.

Judge Andrew Chubb, 58, died in a fireball in a garden shed at his home near Chard in July 2001.

Less than an hour earlier, he had asked his wife Jennifer for a divorce to end their 34-year marriage.

His lover Kerry Sparrow rejects the accidental death verdict and is seeking a second inquest at the High Court.

New evidence

The original inquest was conducted by the East Somerset Coroner in December 2001.

Mrs Chubb had told that hearing her husband had gone outside to a shed where lawnmowers and petrol were stored and she then saw the building explode.

At the High Court on Tuesday, lawyer Martin Westgate, appearing for Ms Sparrow, said there had not been a full inquiry at the original inquest.

He said: "There is important lay evidence that has a bearing on and supports expert evidence subsequently come to light."

Some of the new evidence suggested a fire was well established before the explosion in the shed occurred.

Further material that had emerged since the Attorney General had approved an application to be made for a new inquest had "increased the unease" over the case, said Mr Westgate.

Written submissions state that Mrs Chubb, who is now believed to have moved to Australia, was arrested on suspicion of murder and perjury. She was not charged on either count.

The application for a new inquest is being decided in London by the Lord Chief Justice, Lord Phillips, sitting with Mr Justice Roderick Evans.