THE inquest into the death of a Ukrainian man shot dead by police in Carlisle is to be held before a jury, a coroner has provisionally decided.

Sergii Kuzmenko, 40, was killed by armed officers from Cumbria Constabulary at a property on Borland Avenue in Botcherby on December 19, 2022.

A second pre-inquest review hearing was held on November 25, 2024, at which area coroner for Cumbria, Kirsty Gomersal, said that in accordance with family wishes, she was 'minded' that the final inquest would be held before a jury.

An independent investigation found no suggestion of unlawful killing, nor any breach of professional standards.

Mr Kuzmenko was killed after two officers, who had been called to the address amid concerns for the welfare of a child, discharged seven bullets, causing him fatal head and chest injuries.

Solicitors for the two officers, named as 'Officer C', and 'Officer L', argued that naming the officers would cause a stigma in the community for their families, and hamper future career prospects.

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One of the officers' advocates said that they had now taken up a covert police role.

It was not argued that there was an immediate risk to their lives, though the naming of the exonerated officer involved in the fatal shooting of Chris Kaba in London, and the subsequent threats to his safety, was cited as an example of the consequences of naming a firearms officer in such a case.

Cumbria Police also requested that should anonymity be granted to the two officers, it should also be granted to a further four officers at the scene, as it would make 'jigsaw identification' possible, as the identities of the six-person team was widely known within the police.

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Representatives from media organisations opposed the granting of anonymity of the police officers, in the interests of open justice, citing past examples where officers were named.

Ms Gomersal said that she hoped to make a decision on the anonymity soon, assuring his family that she was 'mindful of the anniversary' of Mr Kuzmenko's death.

She said that a further pre-inquest review hearing would be held before the final inquest, which would be held in either Workington or Carlisle, if it is confirmed to be before a jury.