Blunkett launches inquiry into Soham murders

Thursday, 18 December 2003 6:04 AM

Home Secretary David Blunkett is to launch an inquiry into how murderer Ian Huntley got a job as a school caretaker.

At the Old Bailey, yesterday, Ian Huntley was sentenced to life in prison for the murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman.

An 11-1 majority, found the 29-year-old guilty of murdering the ten-year-olds.

His former girlfriend Maxine Carr was sentenced to three-and-a-half years for conspiring to pervert the course of justice but was cleared of two counts of assisting an offender.

Mr Blunkett said there were 'real concerns' about the police's handling of intelligence on Mr Huntley's past.

Mr Huntley was the school caretaker job at the Soham school, despite having past accusations of rape, indecent assault and underage sex with several teenagers.

North East Lincolnshire Social Services received four separate non-formal complaints against Mr Huntley.

Mr Blunkett said the inquiry would investigate Cambridgeshire and Humberside police forces' vetting procedures.

The inquiry will be steered by a former permanent secretary at the Department for Education and Employment, Sir Michael Bichard, and would be carried out as speedily as possible, Mr Blunkett said.

James Paice, MP for Soham and shadow spokesman for police issues said: "Sadly we now know how many times Huntley had been close to being convicted on previous occasions and how he slipped through the police net in Humberside.

"There are major questions to be asked about how this happened and how our own police force was unable to pick up on his past when they vetted him for his job at the school."

Mr Blunkett said: "This has been a shocking and horrific case and my thoughts are with Holly and Jessica's families.

"I cannot begin to imagine the pain they must have endured during this dark time. I hope they will find some comfort in seeing the man responsible for this wicked act brought to justice.

"Real concerns exist, however, about the way in which police intelligence about Huntley's past was handled.

"I am determined that we should uncover the full facts through this independent inquiry."

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