Sussex Police Apologize for Failings in 1986 Schoolgirl Murder Investigation

Sussex Police have issued an apology for mistakes made in the investigation of the 1986 murders of schoolgirls Nicola Fellows and Karen Hadaway in Brighton, UK. The apology comes after an independent review conducted by Surrey Police pinpointed failings in the original investigation and a linked 2009 inquiry.

Nine-year-old Nicola Fellows and Karen Hadaway were sexually assaulted and strangled by paedophile Russell Bishop in 1986. The independent review found that the initial investigation was flawed, with key evidence overlooked and mistakes made in the handling of the case.

Sussex Police Chief Constable Jo Shiner acknowledged the failures and apologized for the mistakes made in the original probe. She also admitted that Nicola's father, Barrie Fellows, should not have been arrested as part of the linked 2009 inquiry. "I am sorry for the impact that these failings had on the families of Nicola and Karen. Barrie Fellows should not have been arrested in 2009 and the investigation fell well short of the expected standards," Shiner said.

The apology follows the completion of the independent review, which was requested by the families of the victims. The full details of the review have not been released publicly at the request of the families. However, the review highlighted the need for Sussex Police to learn from the experience and improve their investigative practices to prevent similar failures in the future.

Why this matters: The case highlights the importance of thorough and competent police investigations, especially in cases involving the murder of children. The failings in the original investigation and subsequent inquiry caused additional trauma and pain for the victims' families. The apology and acknowledgment of mistakes by Sussex Police is a step towards accountability and ensuring that lessons are learned to improve future investigations.

The brother of Barrie Fellows has called for an apology from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) as well, stating that the mistakes made by Sussex Police had a vast "ripple effect" that impacted his and Barrie's marriages. The CPS has said it is conducting a thorough review of the case. As the families continue to seek answers and justice, the hope is that the independent review and apology from Sussex Police will lead to meaningful changes in investigative practices to prevent similar tragedies in the future.

Key Takeaways

• Sussex Police apologized for failures in 1986 schoolgirl murders
• Independent review found flaws in initial investigation and 2009 inquiry
• Nicola Fellows' father wrongly arrested in 2009 investigation
• Apology aims to improve investigative practices and prevent future failures
• Families seek further accountability from Crown Prosecution Service