Police launch corporate manslaughter investigation after man fatally fell from London balcony
The death of a man who fell from his balcony while waiting for a takeaway is being investigated by police as institutional murder, a preliminary inquest heard.
Joshua Robbins, 23, had ordered a takeaway pizza to share with his father at his flat at Holland and Thurston Dwellings in Holborn, central London, and was leaning over the railings of his balcony to check on the delivery when it reportedly collapsed on January 29.
Will Robbins, 49, watched his son fall.
The Metropolitan Police is conducting an institutional manslaughter investigation and has complied with requests for supplies from Islington and Shoreditch Housing Association, a preliminary investigation review heard on Tuesday.
St Pancras Coroner’s Court heard the force was liaising with the Crown Prosecution Service.
Detective Inspector Mark Paterson said at the time that the scene of Mr Robbins’ death was being examined, a forensic engineer was examining the scene and security cameras were seized.
DI Paterson said: “This is an ongoing investigation, with most of the material being held by ISHA, who fully comply with requests made at this stage.”
He said he hoped to provide the court with an update on the investigation by January and that senior coroner Mary Hassell was planning another pre-inquest review for January 6, 2027.
Joshua’s mother Fiona Garrett has previously said her ex-husband was at the forefront of the fight for answers because he was “extremely traumatised”.
The 46-year-old, who lives in Claudy, Co Londonderry but is originally from Essex, emailed his son’s local MP, former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer, requesting a meeting as part of the justice campaign.
He previously said: “They came right back and said ‘we want to help’ and they’re asking for information and stuff, so that’s a good thing.
“It actually brought comfort.
“I thought, ‘Well, if I get an answer it’ll just be your bog standard, it’ll be written by someone else and they won’t even know it’s gone,’ but the fact that he wrote it and signed it himself and wrote a little extra something seemed really sincere.
“When I showed it to Will he said ‘oh my god the prime minister knows who our son is’.
“I said I would even write to the King if necessary. The point is that he was important and he is important and everyone’s child should be important.”
A Met Police spokesman said: “Our investigation is currently ongoing and we continue to liaise with the Crown Prosecution Service as inquiries continue.
“Given the nature and complexity of the investigation, these investigations may take some time.
“Joshua’s family continues to be informed and supported by specialist officers as the investigation continues.”
