THE devastated Irish mother of a young man who died after being chased onto rail tracks and hit by a fast train wants police to renew focus on the investigation.
Anne-Marie Acton-Ghessen wants events leading to her son Lewis Ghessen’s death three-and-a-half years ago to be re-examined following his inquest at North London Coronor’s Court on April 10.
There, Coronor Andrew Walker recorded a narrative verdict, which stated: “On the 25th September 2011 Lewis Philip Ghessen was chased on to rail- way tracks at Harrow and Whealdstone Railway Station, where, at a short time after 20.37 he was struck and killed by a fast train that was passing through the section of track where Mr Ghessen was.”
Ms Acton-Ghessen, from Co. Galway, has vowed to continue to fight for justice for her son.
Lewis Ghessen died just one day short of his 23rd birthday when he was hit by a train at London’s Harrow and Weald- stone station.
In 2012 two teenagers were found not guilty of manslaugh- ter and attempting to rob the 22-year-old.
Judge Richard McGregor- Johnson, of the London Bor- ough of Kensington and Chelsea, said in his ruling that
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the evidence against the pair was too weak.
“As far as the police were con- cerned, it was case closed,” Ms Acton-Ghessan said.
At the time, the Acton- Ghessen family had also raised £3,000 through a benefit night, to cover their legal fees.
Eastenders actress Shona McGarty was among those who turned out to offer their support.
Following the inquest last month the Irish woman met with British Transport Police, who told her the investigation was on-going but that new evidence would be needed to prosecute further.
“It’s time to get justice for my son,” she said. “Just because my son’s was not a high profile case, it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t get the coverage it deserves. He was
just as important as anyone else. I would like to see them investi- gate it. It’s not acceptable.”
The Irish woman remembers her son as a quiet and humble young man.
“He really was a lovely, lovely young man. He loved life, every- one who knew him said that. He was very quiet and shy, an unas- suming man. He would never boast - he would just do his job and get on with it and smile after,” she said of her son, who was finishing his electrician’s apprenticeship and had dreams of opening his own business at the time of his death.
“I’m not going to let it go,” she said.
When contacted by The Irish Post a spokesperson form British Transport Police said: “The case remains open.”
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