London student's German road 'suicide' was 'set-up' Published duration 19 May 2015

image copyright Not Specified image caption Jeremiah Duggan's death was likely to have been "a constructed road collision", the inquest was told

The apparent suicide of a British student in Germany is likely to have been a "constructed set-up", an inquest has heard.

Jeremiah Duggan, 22, from north London, was found dead on a motorway near Wiesbaden in March 2003.

German police said his death was "a suicide by means of a traffic accident".

A new inquest was ordered in 2010 after judges at the High Court said possible foul play must be investigated.

Giving evidence at Barnet Coroner's Court, forensic photographic expert, Paul Canning, said after examining pictures from the scene, "the only possible conclusion is that it must have been a set-up".

Mr Canning said there was no evidence of contact between Mr Duggan and two vehicles - a Peugeot 406 and a Volkswagen Golf - which the German investigation found had been involved in his death.

He said: "After making a lengthy examination of the photographs I conclude that, in examining the scene of the accident, the road, Jeremiah's body and both vehicles involved, I could find no traces of blood, hair, tissue or clothing on the vehicles or road, except round the immediate vicinity of Jeremiah's body."

He added both vehicles and Mr Duggan appeared to have traces of a wet sandy substance which was not present at the scene and therefore placed them elsewhere before the accident.

image copyright BBC news grab image caption Mr Duggan attended an event by far-right LaRouche group

Mr Canning said the damage to the Peugeot, which is claimed to have hit Mr Duggan, appeared to have been caused by a "heavy metallic instrument" or possibly another car, rather than a person.

Coroner for north London, Andrew Walker, asked: "Are you saying the damage to the vehicles is unlikely to have been caused by an impact with a person?"

"Yes sir, in my opinion," Mr Canning replied.

"Is it likely that damage to the vehicle has been placed there?"

"After looking at the photographs, the only possible conclusion I could find was that it was placed there and further, that it looks like pre-existing damage that was undertaken prior to this incident."

"Are you saying this was a constructed road traffic collision?"

"It certainly looks that way, sir."

'Spy' claims

Previously the inquest heard written statements by German witnesses who said they saw Mr Duggan try to jump out in front of several cars on the morning of his death.

Mr Duggan, who was a student at the British Institute and the Sorbonne in Paris, was said to have been found after he attended a youth event organised by the far-right, "cult like" LaRouche group. He believed he was attending a protest against the war in Iraq.

Mr Duggan's father Hugo told the inquest a witness had informed the family about "chaotic scenes" at the Schiller Institute youth event following his son's death.

He told the court: "All the members were gathered into a room and addressed by Helga Zepp-LaRouche (the German wife of Lyndon LaRouche).

"At this stage she said, 'Jeremiah Duggan is dead, we believe he was a spy sent to harm the organisation. I would like you to pack up and go home right away. Don't talk among yourselves about this and don't talk to others'."

In December 2012, the German Higher Court ruled the Wiesbaden authorities' original investigation had been flawed and opened a new inquiry, which is still ongoing.

The inquest continues.