Det Insp Jon Wallis - CHIEF CONSTABLE'S COMMENDATION
Eight South Worcestershire police officers have been commended for their role in the conviction of a man for murder after his victim died in a Malvern house fire and other occupants were seriously injured.
Officers arriving at the scene in the early hours of 13th October, 2008, were met with a “confusing and volatile situation”, said Ch. Supt. Jane Horwood, Divisional Commander of South Worcestershire Police.
“A fierce fire was engulfing the property, with fire and rescue staff attempting to bring it under control. Some of the occupants were seriously injured, while others were attempting to re-enter the house.
“A large crowd of bystanders and neighbours had gathered, hampering with the attempts of the emergency services to bring the incident under control. It was soon established that a man had died in the fire and his body was still inside the house.
“The incident was now a murder investigation – and emotions began to run high as family members attempted to enter the scene of what was now a major crime.”
Ch. Supt. Horwood said ‘critical scene’ commander Insp. Al Grayson utilised his limited resources, balancing the needs of maintaining the scene with those of crowd control and instigating a major incident.
Sgt. Jill Fowler, tasked with organising a witness trawl, went to Worcestershire Royal Hospital to manage the ‘difficult issues’ around surviving family members, while PCs Simon Jury and Richard Allen preserved the scene and identified and detailed the accounts of some absolutely vital witnesses, one of whom was key to the subsequent trial of the offender.
“Throughout, Insp. Grayson and his team displayed professionalism and control, coupled with a determined yet compassionate approach in the initial management of a difficult major incident.
“When Det. Insp. Jon Wallis – the senior investigating officer – arrived the situation was still fluid and potentially volatile, with family members from across the county arriving and attempting to enter the house to see the deceased.
“He took control and once the initial assessment was complete, Det. Sgt. Mike Unwin (now Act/Det. Insp.) and Det. Con. Wenda Barr dealt with the arrest of two suspects, who lived nearby. This early apprehension had a positive impact on the community - by lessening existing tensions - and secured valuable evidence.
“It was apparent to Kate Lane and Simone Lemon, the detective constables appointed as Family Liaison Officers, that there was potential for conflict within the family.
“All this was managed by Kate and Simone with sensitivity and tact, but with an understanding of the wider issues around community impact and evidence gathering.
“The investigation, file building, preparation and submission continued for some 12 months, and the whole team displayed tremendous commitment and dedication. Indeed, such was the content of the file that the prosecuting barrister said it was an excellent document and required little in the way of follow-up matters.
From a prosecution perspective, all the hard work and meticulous preparation paid off and a 10-day trial in August 2009 resulted in a quick and clear verdict of guilty on charges of murder and arson with intent to endanger life. The offender was given the very significant minimum tariff of 22 years, reflecting exactly the terrible nature of this offence.
“For the duration of the trial the public gallery was filled with members of the victim’s family and the wider Malvern public. Again the Family Liaison Officers did much to pass difficult messages to the family to maintain the decorum of the Court and all concerned.
“There can be no finer example, despite the circumstances, of providing our victims and public with satisfaction and confidence. Indeed, the victim’s wife has recently written to express her gratitude and appreciation for all the support she and her family received and for the exceptional work of all concerned in bringing her husband's murderer to justice.
Det. Insp. Wallis was commended for his leadership and detective ability, Act./Det. Insp. Unwin for his detective ability, planning and meticulous preparation and Det. Con. Barr for her planning and thorough, meticulous approach.
Insp. Grayson was commended for his leadership and professional approach in the initial management of the incident and Sgt. Fowler for her leadership and professionalism and subsequent management of family issues.
PCs Jury and Allen were commended for their professional approach in maintaining a scene guard and identifying significant witnesses and Det. Cons. Lane and Lemon for their compassion, dedication and ability as Family Liaison officers.