Murder investigation.

[Jimmyredcab]

I see that human remains have been found in the search for Sarah Everard, a serving police officer is currently being questioned but should he have been named before he has been charged, some newspapers even published his photo. SKY news last night refused to name him. He may well be guilty but at the moment he is innocent. ???

[Joe Exotic]

Surprised that they released name and photo prior to judge/jury/execution.

But the reason is probably due to him being an employee of the force - no one to save him. Photos and name would have leaked immediately. Plus they most likely have him contractually hung by his ballsack already in terms of public media releases.

[Jimmyredcab]

Surprised that they released name and photo prior to judge/jury/execution.

But the reason is probably due to him being an employee of the force - no one to save him. Photos and name would have leaked immediately. Plus they most likely have him contractually hung by his ballsack already in terms of public media releases.

It's not the first time, back in 2010 the media decided that Christopher Jefferies had murdered Joanna Yeates, he turned out to be completely innocent and The Daily Mirror and Sun got done for contempt of court.     

[David1970]

It's not the first time, back in 2010 the media decided that Christopher Jefferies had murdered Joanna Yeates, he turned out to be completely innocent and The Daily Mirror and Sun got done for contempt of court.     

Jimmy I remember that the media found him guilty because he looked different, no evidence against him. I think 8 “newspapers” had to apologise to him for their lies.

[FLYING BLUE]

Jimmy I remember that the media found him guilty because he looked different, no evidence against him. I think 8 “newspapers” had to apologise to him for their lies.

Yep, it was a fuckin' disgrace how the media hounded him
We are slow to learn lessons

[JontyR]

I don't know how they could have definitively corroborated the info anyway? What if he isn't the one arrested and has been "leaked" by someone with a grudge.

Pretty shoddy by the press anyway. If he is guilty this leaves open lines of defence that he isn't able to get a fair trial.

[lamboman]

Does being a police officer get you off being named as a suspect in a crime then?
Don't think it does.

[winkywanky]

Does being a police officer get you off being named as a suspect in a crime then?
Don't think it does.

It doesn't, quite the opposite has happened here infact.

Even before charging the guy they have named him. That doesn't happen with civvies AFAIK 

I was quite shocked by this. Obviously the police are 99.9% certain he is the murderer, nevertheless they seem to want to pre-empt any public criticism that this was a serving police officer? Certainly in terms of sentencing a copper will tend to get a harsher sentence (and I agree with that) but to actually name him before charging is bang out of order unless there's some operational/investigational reason for doing so?

[The Film Director]

A bit of an unfortunate coincidence, Cressida D says they're going to put more police on the beat (in the areas) to reassure the public. 

[winkywanky]

A bit of an unfortunate coincidence, Cressida D says they're going to put more police on the beat (in the areas) to reassure the public. 

More murdering policemen!!!   

[Scotpunter]

I'm of the opinion that anyone charged with emotive crimes like this should not be named until they are convicted. An allegation like this affects the family as much as the accused.

[RLondon99]

More murdering policemen!!! 

Policemen?

Any operation Cressida Dick is in charge I plan to be elsewhere.

[Xtro]

More murdering policemen!!!   

Let's not forget PC Nilsen.         

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[lamboman]

Even before charging the guy they have named him. That doesn't happen with civvies AFAIK 

That just isn't the case I'm not sure where you get that from.

[Jimmyredcab]

Does being a police officer get you off being named as a suspect in a crime then?
Don't think it does.

OK, let’s imagine this scenario.

You visit a prostitute in the morning, that afternoon someone stabs her to death, your car registration has been caught on CCTV, should you be publicly named as a suspect.  ???
The fact that you may be eliminated is not much consolation. 

[cotton]

Same thing happened in the Pawel Relowicz murder of Libby Squires case in Hull, the press named him from quite early on .  He was found guilty and sentenced to life with a minimum of 27 years earlier this year.

[Jimmyredcab]

Same thing happened in the Pawel Relowicz murder of Libby Squires case in Hull, the press named him from quite early on .  He was found guilty and sentenced to life with a minimum of 27 years earlier this year.

So the media got it right on that occasion, tell that to Colin Stagg. 

[Doc Holliday]

That just isn't the case I'm not sure where you get that from.

Indeed the Police have not named him .... sections of the press have named him based on information from locals.

The Police said a Metropolitan Police Officer serving with the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command has been arrested.

[winkywanky]

That just isn't the case I'm not sure where you get that from.

Apologies, they haven't. My bad.

However they did state him being a copper. Perhaps that was after the name got leaked?

[winkywanky]

Indeed the Police have not named him .... sections of the press have named him based on information from locals.

The Police said a Metropolitan Police Officer serving with the Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command has been arrested.

I'm surprised this is allowed? Sub judice surely?

[cotton]

So the media got it right on that occasion, tell that to Colin Stagg. 

Yeh i agree its pretty horrific when they get it wrong.  My point was more that it does happen, especially in high profile case.  The Libby Squire case had the press unearthing cctv footage and forwarding it to the police, obviously publicity and raising public awareness can in some cases help an investigation move forward.

[Squire Haggard]

It's not the first time, back in 2010 the media decided that Christopher Jefferies had murdered Joanna Yeates, he turned out to be completely innocent and The Daily Mirror and Sun got done for contempt of court.     

I think they couldn't resist the 'big story' of a teacher at a private school being a suspect, and an unusual looking long grey haired one at that. Looks funny, therefore likely guilty, in their view. If he was the Average Joe, he would have got less coverage. I'm glad that it blew up in their faces, and he got a big payout.

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[Matrix]

I see that human remains have been found in the search for Sarah Everard, a serving police officer is currently being questioned but should he have been named before he has been charged, some newspapers even published his photo. SKY news last night refused to name him. He may well be guilty but at the moment he is innocent. ???

Perhaps they're putting his name out to see if anyone else comes forward. 

It's a cunt move though.  Same rules should apply, across the board.


The worst one I can think of is Barry George/Bulsara.

[Jimmyredcab]

Perhaps they're putting his name out to see if anyone else comes forward. 

That argument is often put forward with rape cases, the problem is that the accuser gets to remain anonymous and the accused gets dragged through the mud. 

[Matrix]

That argument is often put forward with rape cases, the problem is that the accuser gets to remain anonymous and the accused gets dragged through the mud. 

Aye, totally. Shit sticks.

[David1970]

That argument is often put forward with rape cases, the problem is that the accuser gets to remain anonymous and the accused gets dragged through the mud. 

Look at the case of the Irish international rugby player Paddy Jackson, accused of rape, founded not guilty, hounded from club to club. Never played for Ireland again.

[willie loman]

i imagine it has  been run past their lawyers?

[lamboman]

Look at the case of the Irish international rugby player Paddy Jackson, accused of rape, founded not guilty, hounded from club to club. Never played for Ireland again.

To be fair in his case his behaviour was reprehensible even given his not guilty verdict,that is why most clubs and Ireland don't want to be associated with him.

[Jimmyredcab]

i imagine it has  been run past their lawyers?

The newspapers don’t seem to care if they get it wrong, at least they haven’t in the past.   



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[David1970]

To be fair in his case his behaviour was reprehensible even given his not guilty verdict,that is why most clubs and Ireland don't want to be associated with him.

I agree his comments on his private social media were unacceptable, but he was innocent and was hounded from club to club by feminist. The point is he was innocent but that did not seem to bother the media and feminists

[David1970]

The newspapers don’t seem to care if they get it wrong, at least they haven’t in the past.   



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Hope he sued them for a fortune.

[Jimmyredcab]

An interesting new development, self inflicted injuries or a bit of “instant justice” from his fellow officers. 



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[chrishornx]

Look at the case of the Irish international rugby player Paddy Jackson, accused of rape, founded not guilty, hounded from club to club. Never played for Ireland again.

not really fair he got fired in april 2018 from Irish rugby and got a new contract in France within 4 months - his club finished bottom and relegated and he chose to exercise a contract clause and bail out and went to play for London Irish so not really hounded

but harshly treated in t first place I agree by Irish RFU

[willie loman]

Hope he sued them for a fortune.

he got a lot of money.

[Matrix]

An interesting new development, self inflicted injuries or a bit of “instant justice” from his fellow officers. 



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Or he's fucking mental and rammed his head into the bars.  It happens.

[Jimmyredcab]

Or he's fucking mental and rammed his head into the bars.  It happens.

Maybe he’s realised he could spend the next 25 years in a maximum security prison, I doubt his fellow inmates will make him welcome.   

[Scotpunter]

That argument is often put forward with rape cases, the problem is that the accuser gets to remain anonymous and the accused gets dragged through the mud. 

If they waited until the person was convicted before releasing the name, Any further victims could come forward at that point anyway. No need to release before conviction and ruin somebodies life.

[Don Giovanni]

I see that human remains have been found in the search for Sarah Everard, a serving police officer is currently being questioned but should he have been named before he has been charged, some newspapers even published his photo. SKY news last night refused to name him. He may well be guilty but at the moment he is innocent. ???

Why the question marks? That almost implies you believe he is guilty.

I am not a legal expert but my understanding is that everyone is assumed innocent until they are proven guilty. The remains at time of writing have not been confirmed as the missing woman, although it appears that it may well be her.

When a Policeman arrests you they use the form of words " I am arresting you on suspicion of... " and then follows the crime that the officer believes the suspect MAY have committed. In a court the Police need enough evidence to prosecute and then it is for the judge, and jury if there is one, to decide.

However, it's not looking good for the family of Sarah Everard, and the Policeman arrested on suspicion of murder is looking like a guilty suspect. Evidence and forensics should confirm one way or the other.

[lamboman]

I agree his comments on his private social media were unacceptable, but he was innocent and was hounded from club to club by feminist. The point is he was innocent but that did not seem to bother the media and feminists

Well nobody can win a debate with those two these days.

[Matrix]

Well nobody can have a debate with those two these days.

Fixed. 

[Doc Holliday]

Re anonymity. From a Police perspective we know anonymity must apply until charged. If the media do not comply and name before being charged (as is the case here) they face the prospect of litigation as in the above cases especially if the accused is not charged.

However once the accused is charged and subsequently appears in court etc "it is a fundamental principle of UK law that Criminal Justice is open and public".

That principle is unlikely to change.

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[Scotpunter]

Why the question marks? That almost implies you believe he is guilty.

I am not a legal expert but my understanding is that everyone is assumed innocent until they are proven guilty. The remains at time of writing have not been confirmed as the missing woman, although it appears that it may well be her.

When a Policeman arrests you they use the form of words " I am arresting you on suspicion of... " and then follows the crime that the officer believes the suspect MAY have committed. In a court the Police need enough evidence to prosecute and then it is for the judge, and jury if there is one, to decide.

However, it's not looking good for the family of Sarah Everard, and the Policeman arrested on suspicion of murder is looking like a guilty suspect. Evidence and forensics should confirm one way or the other.

The public though will have you hung,drawn and quartered before it reaches court though.

I have been in this position myself, was accused of assault and threatening behaviour, when I had actually defended myself. If you had read the description of what allegedly had happened on social media, you would of thought I was one step off a serial killer. I couldn't defend myself on social media without exposing my defense. When it did come up to Court and CCTV and a witness was called, along with the Accusers original statement being proved to be bollocks, I was found not guilty.

Was it fair that my name was tarnished while I was innocent and the trial had not even gone to court?

[winkywanky]

Re anonymity. From a Police perspective we know anonymity must apply until charged. If the media do not comply and name before being charged (as is the case here) they face the prospect of litigation as in the above cases especially if the accused is not charged.

However once the accused is charged and subsequently appears in court etc "it is a fundamental principle of UK law that Criminal Justice is open and public".

That principle is unlikely to change.

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That sounds more like it. Since some newspapers have apparently chosen to name the suspect in this instance, I would love the book to be thrown at them.

Perhaps they think they can get away with it because it's a copper, and I believe his missus is arrested under suspicion of assisting an offender?

[CoolTiger]

That sounds more like it. Since some newspapers have apparently chosen to name the suspect in this instance, I would love the book to be thrown at them.

Perhaps they think they can get away with it because it's a copper, and I believe his missus is arrested under suspicion of assisting an offender?

Sad part is it wasn't just the Tabloids. The Daily Telegraph and The Times joined in.

[Doc Holliday]

Perhaps they think they can get away with it because it's a copper, and I believe his missus is arrested under suspicion of assisting an offender?

They will likely have 'inside' information that he will almost certainly be charged so will feel confident. As Willie said the lawyers will have taken a decision. It makes a huge story being a police officer which they will want to get out there ASAP.

It is an odd case to date. Yes there is another woman involved (? wife/partner) with kidnapping and he is also being investigated for indecent exposure but in relation to yet another woman? He appears to have been caught due to CCTV from a passing bus and also another driver's dashcam? How did we ever catch anyone before cameras?

All will be revealed in the fullness of time no doubt.

[winkywanky]

Sad part is it wasn't just the Tabloids. The Daily Telegraph and The Times joined in.

Bizarre. Perhaps because it's a copper and they think they can claim 'public interest'? 

[winkywanky]

They will likely have 'inside' information that he will almost certainly be charged so will feel confident. As Willie said the lawyers will have taken a decision. It makes a huge story being a police officer which they will want to get out there ASAP.

It is an odd case to date. Yes there is another woman involved (? wife/partner) with kidnapping and he is also being investigated for indecent exposure but in relation to yet another woman? He appears to have been caught due to CCTV from a passing bus and also another driver's dashcam? How did we ever catch anyone before cameras?

All will be revealed in the fullness of time no doubt.

I wonder whether the other allegation has come about since his identity has become known from this case ? If he already has previous which he was under investigation for, the police will likely get a right roasting for this.


And yes, thank God for CCTV cameras.

[advent2016]

Maybe he thought he could make an escape from the hospital.

A lot of coppers I used to come into contact with who committed a lot of minor (in their minds) crime because they thought they were very clever/knew all about criminals and crime to evade capture were caught by such trivially easy methods it made me laugh, often electronic fingerprints, CCTV and DNA.

[Don Giovanni]

The public though will have you hung,drawn and quartered before it reaches court though.

I have been in this position myself, was accused of assault and threatening behaviour, when I had actually defended myself. If you had read the description of what allegedly had happened on social media, you would of thought I was one step off a serial killer. I couldn't defend myself on social media without exposing my defense. When it did come up to Court and CCTV and a witness was called, along with the Accusers original statement being proved to be bollocks, I was found not guilty.

Was it fair that my name was tarnished while I was innocent and the trial had not even gone to court?

I agree, of course it wasn't fair, which brings me back to the original legal assumption of innocence until proven guilty.

You are describing a system of justice by mob rule ( social media ) which is unacceptable to any normal person. It may even have been a crime of corrupting the course of justice by feeding false information publicly to influence the court. Lying in court is an offence of contempt of court and could get you imprisoned.

[Scotpunter]

I agree, of course it wasn't fair, which brings me back to the original legal assumption of innocence until proven guilty.

You are describing a system of justice by mob rule ( social media ) which is unacceptable to any normal person. It may even have been a crime of corrupting the course of justice by feeding false information publicly to influence the court. Lying in court is an offence of contempt of court and could get you imprisoned.

Unfortunately it is those normal people you describe that sit in front of their screen and type what they heard from their cousins, sisters, boyfriends workmate and take it as gospel. Please don't think for a minute that justice is blind out there in Social Media land.