Michael Roberts
PFD Report
Historic (No Identified Response)
Ref: 2023-0056Deceased
No published response · Over 2 years old
Response Status
Responses
0 of 3
56-Day Deadline
10 Apr 2023
Over 2 years old — no identified published response
About PFD responses
Organisations named in PFD reports must respond within 56 days explaining what actions they are taking.
Source: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary
Coroner’s Concerns
Before he was employed as a proof assistant testing new guns, Mr Roberts’ prospective employer asked for a DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) certificate. This was provided and recorded no convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings.
However, Mr Roberts had in the past been convicted of a violent offence for which he had received a custodial sentence. This was the reason for his dismissal from his former occupation as a police officer in the MPS (Metropolitan Police Service).
If Mr Roberts’ DBS certificate had correctly recorded his conviction, he would not have been employed at Proof House where he had access to firearms.
It is unclear to me whether the inaccuracy of the DBS certificate was caused by an error made by the DBS or by the MPS.
However, Mr Roberts had in the past been convicted of a violent offence for which he had received a custodial sentence. This was the reason for his dismissal from his former occupation as a police officer in the MPS (Metropolitan Police Service).
If Mr Roberts’ DBS certificate had correctly recorded his conviction, he would not have been employed at Proof House where he had access to firearms.
It is unclear to me whether the inaccuracy of the DBS certificate was caused by an error made by the DBS or by the MPS.
Report Sections
Investigation and Inquest
On 30 August 2022, one of my assistant coroners, Jonathan Stevens, commenced an investigation into the death of Michael Roberts aged 50 years. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 7 February 2023. I made a determination at inquest of suicide.
Circumstances of the Death
Mr Roberts shot himself on the evening of Saturday, 20 August 2022, using a gun he took from his place of work. He did not own any guns.
He was alone and made no attempt to shoot any other person. However, he had suggested to his partner that he could kill her.
He was alone and made no attempt to shoot any other person. However, he had suggested to his partner that he could kill her.
Copies Sent To
, fiancée of Michael Roberts
, proof master, Proof House, London
, proof master, Proof House, Birmingham
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Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.