Police praised for efforts to put Ashleigh’s killer in jail (From The Northern Echo)
Send us your pictures, video, news and views by texting NORTHERN ECHO to 80360 or email us
Police praised for efforts to put Ashleigh’s killer in jail
10:17am Wednesday 10th November 2010 in Ashleigh Hall Trial
POLICE who helped to send Ashleigh Hall’s killer to jail have been recognised for their work.
Durham Police’s Chief Constable has honoured four investigators whose work helped to bring Peter Chapman to justice.
Chapman was jailed for a minimum of 35 years for the rape and murder of Ashleigh, 17, from Darlington, a year ago.
Detective Constable Robbie Roddiss and forensics workers Andrea Castleton, Nicola Grimes and Michelle Walton received chief constable’s commendations.
Chapman initially said he and Ashleigh had consensual sex and that her death had been an accident.
Using forensic and technical evidence, including computer examination, CCTV, mobile phone data and automatic number plate recognition equipment, the team disproved his account of events.
Chapman pleaded guilty at the start of his trial and after sentencing him, Judge Peter Fox praised the police for their work.
He said: “The scientific support is commendable. The reconstruction of events has been meticulous and credit must be given to those who did that.”
In the Chief Constable’s commendation, Det Con Roddiss was praised for his “exceptional file-building and investigative skills”.
Ms Castleton’s “excellent leadership and technical skills” were also highlighted as she managed a number of complex crime scenes.
Ms Grimes worked as the senior analyst on the operation and collected and analysed data from witness accounts, security cameras and telephones.
Ms Walton worked to co-ordinate the forensic recovery from a number of scenes and spent long hours on complex and relatively new areas of forensics.
In recognition of their work during the inquiry, letters of appreciation have been also been awarded to Vicky Harrison, Leigh Banks, Lorraine Tyler, Suzanne Hitchinson, Maxine Ord, Tracie Lockwood, Detective Constable Hayley Grey and Detective Sergeant Gary Moore.
Comments(5)
Heat1969
says...
3:57pm Wed 10 Nov 10
Big Dave
says...
7:48pm Wed 10 Nov 10
Trial and Error wrote:...which family member did you say was in jail Error? It's their job to collate evidence which the prosecution put before a jury of laypeople. Being laypeople, they usually favour the account given by the slickest, most personable barrister...which is usually the defence, as they're better paid. It's up to the prosecution to prove a defendant has committed a particular crime, not for the defendant to prove they didn't. Given this key tennant of the adversarial system we emply in our courts, allied to the burden of proof being 100% or "beyond all reasonable doubt", it's a minor miracle anyone gets convicted. In this particular instance, the prosecution had to prove that the offence was murder (hence establish evidence of motive and intent) as opposed to Chapman claiming it was accidental (and therefore manslaughter, carrying a much reduced sentence). As the prosecution aren't allowed to influence the jury by informing them of all the accused's previous convictions (hey, just because you've been convicted of theft 100 times before doesn't mean you're guilty the 101st time does it?), I'd say they did well. There are many ways to "do your job" but in all walks of life and employment we know shirkers who aren't prepared to go the extra mile. In this instance, the team secured a murder conviction, so well done them. Of course, I'm sure you'd rather they were out catching burglars...
Praised ? Its their job ffs.
Darlo Mother
says...
11:10am Thu 11 Nov 10
Big Dave
says...
10:33pm Thu 11 Nov 10
Trial and Error says...
2:39pm Wed 10 Nov 10