An ex-Scotland Yard counter-terror officer who blew himself up in the family home had threatened to slit his son’s throat, but police didn’t deem him ‘high risk’, an inquest has heard.
Malcolm Baker, who helped investigate the fatal poisoning of ex-KGB agent-turned Russian dissident Alexander Litvinenko, died in a house explosion after apparently dousing himself in petrol as police arrived to arrest him in September 2022.
The 60-year-old had been reported to police repeatedly by his wife for domestic abuse in the months before the fatal blast – including menacingly leaving a dead rabbit in her bed after she watched The Godfather.
An inquest into his death at Wells Coroner’s Court heard how Mr Baker’s son had alleged his father threatened to ‘slit his throat’ as part of a campaign of abuse which saw him stockpile 125 litres of petrol in and around the home.
In a statement to police read out in court, Jude Onody told officers his father would ‘grip my neck and shoulders tightly and he’d say things like I’ll slit your throat and he’d be laughing
‘I would tell him to get off and he would step back and say ‘who do you think you’re talking to, this is my house.’
But Temporary Det Insp George Pettingell of Avon and Somerset Police told the court officers did not consider Mr Baker to be ‘high risk.’
Mr Pettingell, who oversaw the case, said the decision was made to continue collecting evidence against Mr Baker, before performing an arrest.
Malcolm Baker died in a house explosion in September 2022 after apparently dousing himself in petrol as police arrived to arrest him over domestic abuse allegations
Mr Baker was part of the team helped investigate the fatal poisoning of ex-KGB agent-turned Russian dissident Alexander Litvinenko (pictured)
The explosion could be heard several miles away and blew off the roof of the house
He explained the difficulties of securing a charging decision against Mr Baker on the available evidence – just weeks before he blew up the family home.
Mr Baker’s fuel stockpile was not seen as a risk, because of the rural setting and existence of farm machinery at the property – despite the fact the vehicles, which included a tractor and quadbike, run on diesel.
‘There was certainly no criminal offence committed by him having extra fuel and no direct threat of violence or doing anything with that petrol,’ the officer told the inquest.
Mr Baker’s wife and children were evacuated from the building shortly before the explosion, the inquest previously heard.
The court also learned that Britain’s ‘nuclear police’, the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, had an interest in Mr Baker, and requested to be present at his arrest.
The Civil Nuclear Constabulary is a special force which provides security around nuclear sites and nuclear materials.
Giving evidence, Mr Pettingell revealed the force had heard from the CNC who wanted to question Mr Baker, over documents he was alleged to have had in his possession.
Asked if the CNC’s interest influenced officer’s decision not to attempt an arrest, Mr Pettingell said: ‘The CNC wanted to question him over the possession of documents, that was a matter for them and didn’t form part of our decision.’
Britain’s ‘nuclear police’, the Civil Nuclear Constabulary, had an interest in Mr Baker, and requested to be present at his arrest
Mr Baker’s wife and children were evacuated from the building shortly before the explosion, the inquest previously heard.
However the jury pursued the line of questioning and asked Mr Pettingell about the involvement of the CNC in the case.
He replied that Mr Baker’s work as a consultant following his retirement from the police was connected with Hinkley Point C, telling jurors: ‘My understanding is he was doing work around the area which is why they became involved.
‘I don’t know the full circumstances of his employment or what his business was but the CNC, they are a separate entity that get involved in matters involving that sort of thing.’
Another juror followed up to ask if Mr Baker was aware he was in possession of potentially ‘confidential’ documents and that the CNC were aware of the situation, to which Pettingell said he did not know and could not speculate.
Giving evidence, Mr Baker’s wife, Francesca Onody, earlier said Baker had been shredding documents in his bedroom before he locked himself in and doused himself in petrol.
It is understood Avon and Somerset Police were alerted to the potential existence of these documents, before referring the case to the CNC, who then asked to be present at the interview, should an arrest be made.
Facing questions from Ms Onody’s barrister, Mr Pettingell was asked about the number of agencies interested in Baker, which included the CNC, the national fraud team and local police.
Mr Baker’s home, Hiccombe House, in Brompton Regis, west Somerset, which was destroyed in the fire
He was asked if this multi-agency response muddled the situation and meant there was not ‘one clear picture.’
Mr Pettingell said ‘It was an extremely complicated investigation.’
He added: ‘I think in terms of the multi-agency response, it made it a more complex investigation and under the circumstances it took more time to get the stage where we understood all the allegations made.’
The inquest, which is being heard by a jury, is due to last for five days.
