The family of tragic Victoria Agoglia have been given permission by the Attorney General's Office to apply to the High Court to seek a new inquest into her death. Victoria, who was living in a home under the responsibility of Manchester city council, died aged 15 after she was injected with heroin by a man then aged 50.
Augusta identified up to 97 suspected offenders and at least 57 children believed to be potential victims. But a review commissioned by Greater Manchester Mayor, Andy Burnham, in 2017 discovered it was discontinued in July 2005 due to resources. It also suggested the content of the report, following information gathered as part of the review, could represent new evidence. It found Victoria was threatened, assaulted and taken back to her residential unit 'intoxicated'.
They are now one step closer to achieving that goal, after the Attorney General’s office granted a fiat, which means that they now have permission to take their case all the way to the High Court. If successful, there will be a fresh inquest into Victoria’s death, and those involved in the original inquest – including Greater Manchester Police and social services – will be called to give evidence.
“This is a milestone in my client’s pursuit of justice for Victoria. We will continue to work hard on behalf of our client in order to secure the answers they have so desperately sought for almost two decades.”