World | UK
Murdered man's family questions reinstating officers
The family of a man shot dead on his doorstep yesterday slammed a decision to reinstate two officers who quit the force after failing to protect him.
- Evening Standard
- Published: 00:44 April 4, 2008
London: The family of a man shot dead on his doorstep yesterday slammed a decision to reinstate two officers who quit the force after failing to protect him.
Peter Woodhams, 22, was murdered by a gang seven months after being the victim of a vicious knife attack which left him horribly scarred.
His family said police were given the name of Bradley Tucker whom they believed was behind the stabbing - and was later convicted of Woodhams' murder - but officers failed to investigate properly.
Following complaints from Woodham's family, Detective Sergeant Darren Case and Detective Constable Adam Suett were forced to resign after an investigation by the police watchdog found serious flaws in the way the Met handled the case. A subsequent misconduct hearing found the pair guilty of gross neglect of duty.
But a review by a senior Metropolitan Assistant Commissioner has ruled the punishments were too severe and the officers have been reinstated.
Woodhams died in front of his fiancée Jane Bowden and three-year-old son Sam in August 2006, after being shot three times outside his home in Canning Town.
Bowden, 25, said yesterday she was disgusted by the decision to reinstate the officers, whom she blamed for her partner's death.
She said: "I am livid. I think it is disgusting. I blame them for Peter's death as much as his killer. I hold them responsible one hundred per cent.
"If they had done their jobs in the first place it would not have happened.
"When we got the result last October from the IPCC it was a comfort to know the two officers who acted so irresponsibly would not be able to do anything like this again. Now I'm shattered that they will work as police officers again. "There have been constant failings."
News Editor's choice
-
Allies quit ruling coalition in Nepal
Political row could trigger months of street protests and violence
-
Qatar blaze 'started at nursery'
Fire killed 19 including 13 children, at Doha’s main shopping centre
-
Jagan jailed over illegal assets
Andhra Pradesh leader accused of corruption, cheating, conspiracy
