Widow claims over Pc hotel death

Det Con Rhydian Phillips, 34, a father-of-two from Pencoed, south Wales, died while he was in the city on a charity rugby tour in May 2004.

His widow Justine, 32, said the conditions at the hotel were appalling.

An inquest last month heard Mr Phillips had opened his large sash window at the Milford Plaza Hotel because the air-conditioning unit was broken.

The windows started at knee height and lacked any sort of safety rail, and the bed was only six inches away.

The inquest heard how Mr Phillips had been on a rugby tour with the South Wales Police XV to raise money for the New York Police and Fire Widows' Children's Benefit Fund following the 11 September terrorist attacks.

Mr Phillips had been drinking the night before his death, but although he was three times over the legal driving limit, he was described as appearing to be fully in control.

The coroner at the inquest in Aberdare said from the evidence given, it struck him that the room was "really not up to scratch."

Mrs Phillips' civil case against the hotel could take up to five years to complete.

'Strong case'

Martha Gold, the New York lawyer representing Mrs Phillips, filed papers at the US Supreme Court stating the hotel had not secured the window in the room in a way which allowed it to be opened safely.

The papers also said the window had no bars or safety features.

Mrs Phillips said: "The solicitors here are dealing with the lawyers over there, and now and again I get some information.

"I know that we have started the ball rolling because as far as I know they had to file papers within two years.

"But I am told it could take between three and five years before coming to court. The sooner it happens the better.

"Financially, I am not doing this for the money. My husband's pension takes care of us," she said.

"I think that we have a strong case and so do his family and everyone else I know."

A spokeswoman for the Milford Plaza said the hotel was aware of the law suit.

She added: "We have not yet seen the documents so until we see a copy of the law suit we can't comment."

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