Brighton Schoolgirls Murder Case: Families Receive Apology from Sussex Police for Past Investigation Mistakes
In 1986, Russell Bishop murdered nine-year-olds Nicola Fellows and Karen Hadaway in a woodland den in Brighton.
Bishop was initially cleared of the crimes in 1987, but later went on to kidnap another girl and leave her for dead.
He was not convicted until 2018, after double-jeopardy laws were changed.
The girls' families recently received an apology from Sussex Police for mistakes made during the initial investigation.
The families welcomed the apology but stated that there are still unanswered questions regarding the errors in the 1980s.
Bishop died in prison in 2022.
The families of two girls who were convicted and later exonerated in the "Babes in the Wood" case in 1987 are now pursuing a complaint against the Crown Prosecution Service.
An independent review by Surrey Police identified failings in the 1986 criminal investigation and found that Nicola's father, Barrie, should not have been arrested in 2009 as part of a linked inquiry.
The families hope that this process will provide clarification and apologies for past misunderstandings.
Sussex Police Chief Constable Ms Shiner apologized to both families involved in a long-standing case separately.
She acknowledged their strength, determination, and dignity throughout the years and committed to answering all their outstanding complaints.
As deputy chief constable, she promised to take full responsibility for any past mistakes, regardless of the time elapsed.
He was not convicted until 2018, after double-jeopardy laws were changed.
The girls' families recently received an apology from Sussex Police for mistakes made during the initial investigation.
The families welcomed the apology but stated that there are still unanswered questions regarding the errors in the 1980s.
Bishop died in prison in 2022.
The families of two girls who were convicted and later exonerated in the "Babes in the Wood" case in 1987 are now pursuing a complaint against the Crown Prosecution Service.
An independent review by Surrey Police identified failings in the 1986 criminal investigation and found that Nicola's father, Barrie, should not have been arrested in 2009 as part of a linked inquiry.
The families hope that this process will provide clarification and apologies for past misunderstandings.
Sussex Police Chief Constable Ms Shiner apologized to both families involved in a long-standing case separately.
She acknowledged their strength, determination, and dignity throughout the years and committed to answering all their outstanding complaints.
As deputy chief constable, she promised to take full responsibility for any past mistakes, regardless of the time elapsed.
