09/09/2013

Senior Police Officer Could Face Charges Over Murder Investigation

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) has called for a senior police detective to face charges in connection with the investigation of the murder of Becky Godden.

An investigation of the case by the IPCC found incidents of gross misconduct in the murder investigation.

It follows a ruling by a judge who said that Det Supt Steve Fulcher, from Wiltshire Police, ignored guidelines over the murder investigation, which has resulted in no-one having been prosecuted for the crime.

If the charges against Det Supt Fulcher are proven he could be sacked from the force.

It is understood that in 201,1 Christopher Halliwell, who had just confessed to the killing of Sian O'Callaghan, led police to the location of Miss Godden's body.

However, it was found that instead of returning Halliwell to a police station to read him his rights, as per arrest guidelines within the Police and Criminal Evidence Act, he was taken to Bradbury Castle, a local beauty spot.

A judge described Det Supt Fulcher's decision to ignore guidelines as "significant and substantial".

(MH/JP)

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