Victoria Hamer - Cooperation with the Police

Can a “No Comment” interview ever be classed as cooperation with the police?

In court there was a mention of a doctor’s report. Clearly we would not be able to see the contents of the report which is understandable. However, we were informed that the police were told by the doctor that Ms Hamer was not in a fit state to be interviewed. Ms Hamer killed Lorraine on the 17th of September 2020, returning to work on the 12th of October 2020, and was interviewed by the police on the 16th of October 2020. Why was Ms Hamer in a fit state to drive to work, passing the point where she hit Lorraine, and be able to complete her duties as a veterinary nurse but not in a fit state to be interviewed?

We were informed that Ms Hamer returned to work so early because it was her only source of income. Seriously! You have just taken someone’s life, devastated four generations of a family and your first thought is money. Was it really her only source of income? I find it unlikely that Axe Valley Vets, her employer, do not have a sickness scheme as part of their package.

At this point it is worth making some observations regarding the interview. We have been made aware that the interview took some time as it was stopped on several occasions because Ms Hamer became distressed. I’m not surprised she was distressed being shown photographs, CCTV footage, associated evidence, and being held in a police station with a detective asking her questions. But does this mean that Ms Hamer was helpful and cooperative? Well, it depends on your definition of helpful and cooperative. Ms Hamer read from a prepared statement answering each question with “No Comment”. To keep that up must have been stressful. I ask you do you think that approach is helpful and cooperative or more likely that you have something to hide and that you are concerned that you will be found out.

I know people will say that Ms Hamer was following advice. Ms Hamer did not have to take the advice she has the ability to make her own choices about whether or not she wanted to be open and honest. I do not see how answering “No Comment” to all questions is the actions of someone with such a good character and with, as we are told, remorse? My opinion is that such an upstanding citizen with such a strong moral compass and ethical behaviour would ignore the advice as their conscience would be more important than self-preservation.

The court transcript mentions several times that Ms Hamer cooperated with the police. Once you understand that the delay in interviewing allowed a prepared statement and that all questions were answered with “No Comment” would you consider that there has been significant cooperation with the police?