Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2021
Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2021-0129, written 30 Apr 2021. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.
| Date of report | 30 Apr 2021 |
|---|---|
| Reference | 2021-0129 |
| Deceased | Ann Mowbray |
| Coroner | Sean McGovern |
| Coroner area | Warwickshire |
| Category | Other related deaths |
| Source | judiciary.uk record · original PDF |
| Responses published | 1 |
Text extracted from the PDF text layer. Reproduced verbatim, including the scan's own layout.
REGULATION 28: REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS (1) NOTE: This form is to be used after an inquest. REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: Coordinating Committee Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses 1 Kingdom Way West Hanningfield Chelmsford, Essex CM2 8FW E-mail: 1 CORONER I am S McGovern, Senior Coroner, for the coroner area of Warwickshire 2 CORONER’S LEGAL POWERS I make this report under paragraph 7, Schedule 5, of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 and regulations 28 and 29 of the Coroners (Investigations) Regulations 2013. 3 INVESTIGATION and INQUEST I opened an investigation on 27 February 2020 into the death of Ann Mowbray, late of , Studley, Warwickshire. I concluded the inquest on 28 April 2021 and returned a conclusion that she was unlawfully killed. 4 CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH Mrs Mowbray was unlawfully killed on 17 February 2020. She was stabbed 49 times as she was sleeping in her own home. She was 80 years old and vulnerable by means of physical disabilities. She was a devout Jehovah’s witness – as was the perpetrator. The perpetrator made at least one comment to an Elder of the Jehovah’s Witnesses indicating that he proposed to kill Mrs Mowbray by stabbing her. 5 CORONER’S CONCERNS 1 During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken. In the circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you. The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows. – During the course of the inquest it was accepted that the Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses (CCJW) do not have any policy regarding safeguarding of vulnerable adults who are members of the congregation. The issue of such a policy was raised by the author of the Domestic Homicide Review into Mrs Mowbray’s death with the CCJW in October 2020. The reply from the CCJW is unclear whether they propose to adopt such a policy or not. 6 ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you have the power to take such action. 7 YOUR RESPONSE You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this report, namely by 25h June 2021. I, the coroner, may extend the period. Your response must contain details of action taken or proposed to be taken, setting out the timetable for action. Otherwise you must explain why no action is proposed. 8 COPIES and PUBLICATION I have sent a copy of my report to the Chief Coroner and to the following Interested Persons: (a) – son of Mr Mowbray I am also under a duty to send the Chief Coroner a copy of your response. The Chief Coroner may publish either or both in a complete or redacted or summary form. He may send a copy of this report to any person who he believes may find it useful or of interest. You may make representations to me, the coroner, at the time of your response, about the release or the publication of your response by the Chief Coroner. 9 30th April 2021 [ Senior Coroner Mr. S McGovern 2
1 response published against this report on judiciary.uk. A response is a body's written reply to the coroner's concerns; publication is at the discretion of the Chief Coroner's office, so an absent response does not mean nobody replied.
1 Kingdom Way, West Hanningfield, Chelmsford CM2 8FW
17th June, 2021
Mr Sean McGovern
HM Coroner for Warwickshire
Warwickshire Justice Centre
Newbold Terrace
LEAMINGTON SPA
CV32 4EL
Re:
Regulation 28: Report to Prevent Future Deaths - Anne Mowbray
Dear Mr McGovern:
I am writing on behalf of Christian Congregation of Jehovah’s Witnesses in Britain in response to
your Regulation 28: Report to Prevent Future Deaths of 30th April, 2021, concerning Mrs Anne Mowbray.
Jehovah’s Witnesses have for many years had a long-standing religious practice, set out in their
religious publications, with respect to vulnerable adults. The following summarises that religious practice.
At the outset, it is important to keep in mind that Jehovah’s Witnesses endeavour to base their
beliefs, practices and everyday way of life on Bible principles and “the law of the Christ.” (Galatians 6:2)
Consequently, Jehovah’s Witnesses feel a deep sense of moral obligation to observe Jesus’ command to
‘love their neighbour as themselves.’—Matthew 22:38, 39.
There are no closer neighbours than members of our own family. Therefore, understandably, the
Bible places the primary responsibility of caring for the elderly on family members, especially adult
children.1 In his first letter to Timothy, chapter 5, verse 4, the Bible writer, Paul, said: “If any widow has
children or grandchildren, let these learn first to practice godly devotion in their own household and to repay
their parents and grandparents what is due them, for this is acceptable in God’s sight.”
However, where an elderly person has no children, or where responsible adult children need and are
happy to receive help in caring for their parents, individuals within congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses
are moved by love of neighbour to offer necessary support and assistance. The same principle would apply
to any vulnerable adult.
The Bible exhorts Christians to ‘look out for the interests of others,’ especially those who are weak,
vulnerable or disadvantaged. (Philippians 2:4; 1 Thessalonians 5:14) For example, the Bible states: “The
form of worship that is clean and undefiled from the standpoint of our God and Father is this: to look after
orphans and widows in their tribulation.” (James 1:27) Such ‘looking after’ involves not simply offering
emotional support and words of comfort, but also practical assistance whenever needed.
The 15th March, 2014, edition of The Watchtower, pages 21-29,2 published by Jehovah’s Witnesses,
included two articles for congregation study on the subject of caring for vulnerable adults, particularly the
elderly. Those articles included religious guidance on the following subjects:
1 What Does the Bible Say About Caregiving for Elderly Parents? Help for Caregivers (jw.org)
2 The Watchtower—Study Edition, March 15, 2014 (jw.org)
Page 2
• The responsibility of the family in providing care for the elderly (pages 21-22)
• Circumstances when the congregation would assist the elderly (pages 22-23)
• Assisting and referring the elderly to governmental and social programmes (page 23-24)
• Providing pastoral support and emotional encouragement to the elderly (pages 24-25)
• Religious guidance on providing care for the elderly (pages 25-29)
Additional guidance has also been provided in The Watchtower of 15th July, 1988, which states on
page 22:3 “The elders might determine just what is required. Does the elderly one need help shopping? Is he
lonely or in need of encouragement? … It may take several visits and chats before the full picture emerges…
Once the needs of an elderly person are known, specific arrangements can be made.” The Watchtower of
15th August, 2008, page 19, adds:4 “In many congregations, the elderly are being cared for in an exemplary
manner. Loving brothers and sisters help them with shopping, cooking, and cleaning… Whenever possible,
elders make sure that practical arrangements are implemented in order to meet the needs of older ones in the
congregation.”
In making such practical arrangements, the congregation does not replace or substitute for those who
have the primary responsibility to provide care to an elderly or vulnerable person. Rather, the congregation
is available to complement and support the efforts of those with the primary caregiving responsibilities.5
Any arrangements involving the congregation are subject to the full cooperation of those receiving care,
their families and primary caregivers. In accord with the Bible’s injunction to “show honour” to the elderly,
help is offered in a way that allows individuals to retain their dignity and control how they choose to live.6—
Leviticus 19:32.
Determining what is required in helping an elderly or vulnerable person includes being alert to signs
of decline and to taking reasonable steps to prevent harm and reduce the risk of abuse or neglect.7 Where
such a risk may exist, Christian love would move the individuals involved to alert those in positions of
responsibility, such as family members, caregivers or relevant authorities.
Unlike some other religions, congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses do not carry out any activities
that formally bring vulnerable adults into their care. For example, our congregations do not operate or
sponsor care-homes, day-care centres or any activities that assume responsibility for the care of vulnerable
adults. Therefore, it is our understanding that congregations of Jehovah’s Witnesses do not fall within the
scope of legislation and regulatory guidance concerning those who work with or provide care to vulnerable
adults, thus obviating the need for a formal policy. Nonetheless, although not having a legal or regulatory
obligation to do so, as made clear in the above-mentioned religious guidance in The Watchtower magazine,
Jehovah’s Witnesses consider it a Christian duty to do what they reasonably can to provide support to
vulnerable adults and their family members.
It is the view of Jehovah’s Witnesses that a formal policy is not necessary to move them to
demonstrate Christlike love toward individuals who need comfort and support for a variety of reasons.
Nevertheless, regardless of whether a legal obligation exists, Jehovah’s Witnesses continue to be interested
in caring for the elderly and vulnerable and welcome constructive suggestions that may help create even
further improvements.
I hope these comments, and the supporting references, help make clearer the position of Jehovah’s
Witnesses in the matter of caring for vulnerable adults associated with our congregations.
3 Meeting the Needs of Our Older Ones—A Christian Challenge — Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY (jw.org)
4 https://www.jw.org/en/library/magazines/w20080815/Jehovah-Tenderly-Cares-for-His-Elderly-Servants/
5 Caring for the Caregiver—How Others Can Help — Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY (jw.org)
6 Providing Care for the Elderly, paragraph 13 — Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY (jw.org)
7 Providing Care for the Elderly, paragraph 17 — Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY (jw.org)
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Yours sincerely,
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