Below is a copy of the article published in the Brentwood Yellow Advertiser 24 June 2005. It relates specifically to a case before the court at the moment and which was also referred to in the article by Fiona Barton in the Daily Mail ( 7 May 2005 ).

 

 

In the article in today's Brentwood Yellow Advertiser, Pat Jones the reporter has identified that the police whilst fully aware of a miscarriage of justice have prevaricated and referred to the ' Justices' ruling 2001' for their inactivity,  whilst simultaneously the children face being adopted on 6 July 2005.

 

COPY: parents lead by Pat Jones BRENTWOOD YELLOW ADVERTISER

23 June 2005

CAMPAIGNING parents claim Essex Police are using an obscure legal ruling to avoid investigating criminal allegations against doctors and social workers in child care cases. Six families from across the county - including two from Brentwood asked police to investigate claims that doctors and social workers had misled Essex courts to get children placed in local authority care.

After expressing initial interest, the parents' hopes were dashed when police indicated their hands were tied by a Justices' Ruling of 2001. This, according to Det Supt Simon Coxall of the crime division, meant an enquiry into the alleged offences was "dependant upon referral of the case by the officiating court", adding that their complaints has been passed to the court.

However, the parents claim the ruling - which is not binding on the Police was made to prevent a flood of perjury allegations arising from civil cases at Charing Cross County Court, where the losing party was left out of pocket.

One of the parents, who cannot be named for legal reasons, said that ruling did not apply because they were talking about offences other than perjury perverting the course of justice, contempt of court and misconduct in public office. "We are very disappointed because the police showed interest at first.We went to them with documentary evidence," he added.

"The ruling they quote is obviously inappropriate to these cases. We are not dealing with money here but children's lives." The group of parents are now considering applying for judicial review of the police decision. Earlier this week Det Supt Coxall promised to give more thought to the matter. However in a letter dated June 21 he said that "all the other potential offences identified have their basis upon the presentation of evidence before county court proceedings.

"It is for this reason that I have been and continue to be in liaison with the County Court to receive guidance in this matter," he added. The parents' concerns have been brought to the attention of the judge and the Attorney General's office.

A police spokesman said: "These allegations are being dealt with in accordance with our procedures and complainants are being informed how their complaints are being dealt with. "The civil court concerned will be advised of the allegations made."

The spokesman confirmed "the matter was ongoing".

The Editor of the Daily Mail makes a judgement on future articles by the public perception/response of/to such articles. The feedback is one indication. E-mail Fiona Barton fiona.barton@dailymail.co.uk

Baby in broken bones inquiry dies

A three-month-old baby at the centre of a police investigation at London's Great Ormond Street Hospital has died. The inquiry began when the boy from Clacton, Essex, was found to have fractures to his leg, ankles and feet. The hospital said the results of the inquiry are due in several weeks and it anticipates no members of staff will be found to have acted incorrectly.
A hospital spokesman said the boy was born with a complex mixture of life-threatening conditions. He added: "The child has succumbed to his medical condition and we are trying to support the family at this difficult time. "We are confident that the investigation will show that all staff acted correctly at all times." A spokesman for the Met police said the child's death does not affect the inquiry, which is still ongoing. Police had earlier said medical equipment may have been "tampered" with, and placed the child under guard and interviewed hospital staff. But the hospital responded saying if his bones were "unusually weak", normal handling could have caused the fractures. In a statement released in February, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Trust said it was unlikely the baby had a "classic" bone disease, but other rare illnesses were being considered. The statement said: "If the bones are unusually weak, which could be the result of several causes, then it would be possible for them to be broken through normal careful handling of the child."

BBC http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/london/4452321.stm

Comment:
It is strange how parents are automatically assumed to be guilty and the facts twisted to ensure a conviction. There have been enough celebrated cases to refer to. Meanwhile, should a baby be injured/sustains an illness or dies in the care of the local authority, or the hospital, the authorities do hand-stands to deflect any blame from themselves. Of course, in this case the police were involved and no doubt they are being prevailed upon to bring in the 'right verdict'............. "accidental death".

Again it is Essex ............Surprise! Surprise!

Continuing with the story about the Clacton baby: ( this from another source )

" In February 2005 a baby boy was found to have had his legs broken and his drips were clamped whilst in the care of GOSH ( great Ormond Street Hospital ). Police were brought in to investigate. The matter has laid dormant for some time until 3 weeks ago when on national news it was announced that the poor baby boy had died, a reporter was outside GOSH with the news. This whole incident has been hushed up, no mention by the media. Does anyone remember this case and, if so, do they know more about it than I do? Any information would be greatly appreciated ".

Contact: dave.mortimer@tiscali.co.uk