Inquest finds bungled police raid sparked anxiety that contributed to Cherry Turner’s death and Craig Jackson’s demise

An inquest at South Tyneside Coroner's Court concluded that an armed police raid on December 12, 2021, sparked an anxiety disorder that contributed to Cherry Turner’s death, and that a two‑month delay in informing her fiancé Craig Jackson that he was no longer under investigation helped drive the tragedy for both families. The jury recorded a narrative verdict linking the deaths to what it described as a bungled operation by Northumbria Police after officers wrongly arrested Craig Jackson at the couple’s Newcastle home while investigating an armed robbery.

Craig and Cherry, who had known each other since their adolescence and had become engaged, were described by their families as a couple with plans for a life together—planning a wedding abroad, secure jobs, and a future in a home they hoped to share. The raid, carried out with an armed response, dogs and multiple police vehicles, abruptly disrupted that life when Craig was seized at gunpoint and taken away in his boxer shorts. He was questioned on suspicion of carrying a firearm, driving a stolen car, and using a burner phone, even as officers later realized they had arrested the wrong man. It was not until February 2022 that authorities confirmed he was no longer under investigation, a correction that arrived far too late for the couple’s peace of mind.

The inquest heard that the mistake extended beyond the initial arrest and that Cherry’s mental health deteriorated in the aftermath. She died by suicide in July 2022, with the coroner’s narrative verdict attributing part of the tragedy to the raid and the ongoing perception that the investigation into the couple and their home remained active in Cherry’s mind. Craig, who had previously undergone a kidney transplant in 2017, declined further treatment for kidney failure after losing Cherry, and died in January of the current year. Family members described a life turned upside down by a single, flawed operation.

In emotional testimony, Craig’s father, Ian Jackson, said he had lost “complete faith” in Northumbria Police and accused officers of inadequacy that had fatal consequences. He said the consequences stretched beyond the two people who died, touching their families and wider communities. He recalled the night of the raid as one he would never forget and demanded accountability, telling the inquest that Northumbria Police should face the coroner if they could not justify the actions that night.

Legal representative Paul Dunn, who spoke on behalf of Cherry Turner’s family, argued that the raid was not a routine knock on the door and that the officers responsible were heavily engaged in identifying those responsible for a serious crime, but potentially erred in identifying the wrong person. Dunn noted that messages exchanged among officers indicated concerns about not getting the right man and urged the court to recognize the profound consequences of those choices for Cherry and Craig.

Cherry Turner’s father, David Turner, told the BBC that their family had been living with a painful “life sentence” since Cherry’s death. He described their daily grief and the enduring question of why the investigation had not been closed sooner. He added that the truth about what happened should be heard, honored, and never forgotten, and that the family would carry the memory of Cherry and Jacko—Craig’s nickname—forward.

Craig’s sister-in-law had previously said he had fought kidney failure for years, and his brother Jake Mottram said the police knew they had the wrong man by the next day but did not correct the record, a delay that extended Cherry’s uncertainty and fear. The inquest’s scope included the communications among officers about the arrest and whether those involved were acting on solid evidence, with Dunn stating that the raid’s intrusive nature and the use of live weapons left an indelible mark on the families and their communities.

In a statement after the inquest, Northumbria Police offered condolences to the families of Cherry Turner and Craig Jackson and acknowledged failings identified during the investigation. A spokesman said the force had apologised to Cherry’s family and Craig and would carefully consider the inquest’s findings. The police also said they would reflect on the process and the steps needed to ensure such errors do not recur, recognizing the serious impact on the victims’ families.

The inquest’s narrative verdict underscores the seriousness of misidentification and the potential for overwhelming police tactics to cause lasting harm even when officers are pursuing justice. For Cherry Turner’s family, the verdict provides a moment of formal acknowledgment, but it does not repair the harm that has befallen them. For Craig Jackson’s family, it offers a distant measure of accountability but also emphasizes the ongoing questions about whether earlier notice could have altered the course of their loved ones’ lives. The case has reignited a broader conversation about how families are treated in the wake of mistaken arrests and how police forces communicate with those wrongly implicated in serious offenses.

As investigators and families move forward, the broader implications of the South Tyneside inquest will likely shape discussions about corrective measures, officer training, and the protection of innocent people from eventful, even catastrophic, outcomes after armed police action. The families called for transparency and accountability, hoping that their experience will lead to meaningful changes that prevent similar tragedies in the future.