Tainted murder investigation another stain on troubled force

On 3rd May, 1997, a seven year old boy, Joe McCafferty, died in a horrific arson attack on his aunt’s home in Huddersfield. He was sleeping over, along with his brother, Nicky, at Debra McCafferty’s house in Heywood Avenue, Marsh, whilst his mother was working away from the area. A murder investigation was launched immediately,Continue reading “Tainted murder investigation another stain on troubled force”

‘My head’s a shed’

It is now more than twenty four years since a seven year old boy was murdered in a horrific arson attack in Marsh, Huddersfield. Believed to be the longest running unsolved child murder investigation in the country. Joe McCafferty died whilst enjoying a sleepover at his aunt’s home in Haywood Avenue at the start ofContinue reading “‘My head’s a shed’”

Watchdog has neither bark nor bite

The perennial shortcomings of the so-called ‘police watchdog’, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), are very well rehearsed in the local regional and national media and, of course, elsewhere on this website, writes Neil Wilby. Not least in an excoriating piece published just two days ago, and headlined ‘All for nothing’, the full textContinue reading “Watchdog has neither bark nor bite”

Kerry Perkins -v- West Yorkshire Police

Please Note: An Order under Section 4(2) of the Contempt of Court Act has been applied to the reporting of this case. A copy has been posted in the court precinct and in the press office. Details of the restriction cannot be published, but may be obtained from the county court office. The Order hasContinue reading “Kerry Perkins -v- West Yorkshire Police”

Will ‘sex in sauna’ officer slip off disciplinary hook again?

In April 2012, Chief Inspector Elizabeth Belton of West Yorkshire Police achieved national notoriety as the ‘Sex in the sauna’ cop. The incident resulted in a punch-up between Chief Superintendent Ian Whitehouse and Ms Belton’s husband, Sergeant Chris Beddis and was splashed on the front page of the Yorkshire Post newspaper. National newspaper coverage soon followed [1]. This steamy tale was one ofContinue reading “Will ‘sex in sauna’ officer slip off disciplinary hook again?”