Ashley murder police 'negligent'

Mr Ashley was in bed when officers opened fire in 1998

The fatal shooting of an unarmed man by Sussex Police was the result of admitted police negligence, the High Court has been told.

James Ashley, 39, of Liverpool, was killed in 1998 when police shot him after entering his flat in St Leonards.

At a pre-trial hearing Edward Faulks QC, representing Sussex Police said the death was caused by police negligence.

But Mr Faulks said the family's claims that the raid was carried out in "bad faith" should be dropped.

Mr Faulks said the family would therefore be entitled to compensation for the "pain and suffering" of Mr Ashley "between the firing of the shot and his death".

He urged the judge to enter judgement against the force on the basis of its admissions.

Mr Ashley's family have applied to get two internal reports on his death released.

Three senior police officers were cleared in 2001 of any wrongdoing in the raid.

But the circumstances surrounding the shooting led to the chief constable at the time, Paul Whitehouse, resigning.

The case continues.