This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/london/7425617.stm

The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Victim's family seeks 'justice' Victim's family seeks 'justice'
(about 1 hour later)
The family of a murder victim have vowed to fight on to get two detectives sacked for failing to properly investigate an earlier assault. The family of a murder victim has vowed to fight to get two detectives sacked for failing to properly investigate an earlier assault.
Peter Woodhams, 22, was shot dead by teenager Bradley Tucker in Canning Town, east London, in August 2006.Peter Woodhams, 22, was shot dead by teenager Bradley Tucker in Canning Town, east London, in August 2006.
It later emerged that Mr Woodhams had been slashed across the face by youths seven months earlier.It later emerged that Mr Woodhams had been slashed across the face by youths seven months earlier.
After a damning report two detectives were told to resign, but were later reinstated after an internal review.After a damning report two detectives were told to resign, but were later reinstated after an internal review.
Detective Sergeant Darren Case was demoted to constable and Detective Constable Adam Suett was fined 13 days' pay. He has since left to join Derbyshire Constabulary.Detective Sergeant Darren Case was demoted to constable and Detective Constable Adam Suett was fined 13 days' pay. He has since left to join Derbyshire Constabulary.
Mr Woodhams' father, Peter, called for that decision to be overturned and he also appealed directly to the recently elected London mayor, Boris Johnson.Mr Woodhams' father, Peter, called for that decision to be overturned and he also appealed directly to the recently elected London mayor, Boris Johnson.
Peter Woodhams was murdered after a seven-month campaign of violence
He said: "Considering the mayor's stance on crime and his commitment to openness and accountability within the public sector we call on him to help us get justice for our hero Peter."He said: "Considering the mayor's stance on crime and his commitment to openness and accountability within the public sector we call on him to help us get justice for our hero Peter."
ApologyApology
Mr Woodhams said public confidence had been undermined by the decision to reinstate the officers and pointed to several postings on a website, one of which read: "Once again the police look after their own."Mr Woodhams said public confidence had been undermined by the decision to reinstate the officers and pointed to several postings on a website, one of which read: "Once again the police look after their own."
Peter Woodhams was murdered after a seven-month campaign of violence
He urged the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) to review Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur's decision but the chairman, Len Duvall, said its hands were tied as it did not have the power to overrule his ruling.He urged the Metropolitan Police Authority (MPA) to review Assistant Commissioner Tarique Ghaffur's decision but the chairman, Len Duvall, said its hands were tied as it did not have the power to overrule his ruling.
Mr Duvall offered his sympathies to the Woodhams family and the Metropolitan Police commissioner, Sir Ian Blair, said: "I apologise for the failings of the investigation and we will co-operate with any review the MPA wishes to take."Mr Duvall offered his sympathies to the Woodhams family and the Metropolitan Police commissioner, Sir Ian Blair, said: "I apologise for the failings of the investigation and we will co-operate with any review the MPA wishes to take."
"I can't accept that the Met 'looks after its own'," said Sir Ian, who added that he had supported changes to the discipline procedure which have since replaced internal reviews with independent panels."I can't accept that the Met 'looks after its own'," said Sir Ian, who added that he had supported changes to the discipline procedure which have since replaced internal reviews with independent panels.
Mr Woodhams said a report by the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) had found several "significant failings" in the original investigation, including:
  • Failing to seize his son's clothing after the stabbing, which would have offered "considerable forensic opportunities".
  • Failing to investigate five suspects whose names were provided. Bradley Tucker was one of those individuals.
  • Despite his son having described his assailants as black and mixed race, 60 of the 70 photographs shown to him of possible suspects were white. He was not shown a photo of Bradley Tucker, whose image was in the Witness Album Display System.
    • Mr Woodhams told the MPA: "Unfortunately as neither you nor the IPCC will challenge AC Ghaffur's decision we, a bereaved family who not only have to deal with our loss and the catastrophic failings of the Met and in particular these two officers, were then let down again by the Met policing themselves, now we have to bear the responsibility of fighting this."
    Outside the meeting Mr Woodhams said Sir Ian and the MPA had paid "lip service" to their concerns.
    He said: "In no other profession would you keep your job after making mistakes like this."
    The Woodhams family has taken legal advice about the possibility of obtaining a judicial review of the decision not to sack the officers.
    Mr Woodhams, surrounded by his family, said: "We are going to fight this however we can. If I end up broke and destitute I don't care, I'm going to take this as far as I can because it's all I can do for my son."