Christopher Kapessa: No racism involved in teen's death - detective

Friends of Christopher Kapessa told the inquest they were aware he could not swim

There is no evidence that racism was involved in the death of a teenage boy who drowned after he was allegedly pushed into a river, an inquest heard.

Christopher Kapessa, who was 13, drowned on 1 July, 2019, after a boy allegedly pushed him off a ledge.

Det Ch Insp Matt Powell told the inquest in Pontypridd that inaccurate reports suggested the case was "akin" to the Stephen Lawrence murder.

It led to increased "tensions" in the community, he said.

"Neither I or my team uncovered any evidence of race having played a role," Det Ch Insp Powell said of Christopher's death.

He claimed there had been "inaccurate reporting" in press conferences and social media campaigns by groups claiming to represent Christopher's mother, Alina Joseph.

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Det Ch Insp Powell said he did not believe Ms Joseph was responsible for any of the inaccurate reports.

He said the Justice for Christopher campaign suggested the case was "akin" to the murder of Stephen Lawrence, a black teenager killed in a racist attack in London.

There was "no evidence at all" of this, he told the inquest.

Christopher Kapessa drowned in the River Cynon on 1 July 2019

Following a meeting with Ms Joseph, her family and some supporters, Det Ch Insp Powell said it was agreed that the term "manslaughter investigation" would not be used publicly.

He claimed a supporter of Ms Joseph had told a media outlet about the nature of the investigation, which led to additional safeguarding measures needing to be put in place for witnesses.

Representing Ms Joseph, Michael Mansfield KC told the coroner that "her recollections of meetings with this officer are not the same as this officer's, but I'll not pursue it as it's not central to your investigations".

Det Ch Insp Powell said one witness and his family had to move from the area for short periods and "police measures were put in place to protect them".

He said there was still a potential risk to them as recently as last year.

During one press conference, a campaign group claimed they had evidence on a mobile phone which could have affected the case, the detective added.

But on further investigation, he found that "no such evidence exists".

Was Christopher bullied?

During his investigation, Det Ch Insp Powell said he interviewed all the child witnesses on video in order to provide the best possible evidence.

Initially, Det Ch Insp Powell said there was no indication that Christopher had been pushed or pulled into the water.

Later, he said rumours began circulating that another boy "may have slipped or knocked Christopher into the water, and there were other accounts that he deliberately pushed him into the water, albeit as a result of child's play".

As a result, he said all the child witnesses were re-interviewed.

The inquest continues.