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MP calls for changes to PACE to give Award-Winning BLAYLOCKS
closure to Becky’s family Local Organic
South Swindon MP Robert Buckland explains that the Police and Criminal Veg Boxes
Evidence Act - passed nearly 30 years ago - needs be reformed so that Free local
families do not have to go through the same heart rending situation that delivery
the family of Becky Godden-Edwards has had to endure. SLIPPERS
It is now more than a year since taxi driver Christopher Halliwell was jailed The ideal gift
for life for the murder of Sian O'Callaghan, who he had picked up from
outside a Swindon nightclub. Also a large selection
£7.50
Wiltshire Police had successfully more flexibility in the way they deal Boxes from of mens, ladies and
traced Halliwell's vehicle and made with suspects. I arranged for Karen childrens shoes and boots
a quick arrest. Halliwell led them to meet the Police Minister Damian Veg, Fruit,
to Sian's body and pleaded guilty to Green, and he is seriously considering Meat & Eggs Bath Road Corner
01793 772287
her murder in court: an open-and- reforms to PACE. Such changes do www.purtonhouseorganics.co.uk Old Town. Tel: 534271
shut case. happen – only last month Mr Green
Sadly, though, that was not the end announced some amendments to
of the story. the Act covering issues including the Head Rush
As police questioned Halliwell handling of terrorism suspects and the
about Sian's killing, he confessed to recording of interviews.
a second murder. Halliwell told De- There is of course a balance to be
tective Superintendent Steve Fulcher struck between the rights of suspects, We wish all our customers a very Merry Christmas
that he could lead him to the body the interests of the public and the re- and look forward to seeing you in the New Year
of Becky Godden-Edwards who had sponsibilities of the police. There was 73 Basepoint, Rivermead Drive
disappeared in 2002. They went to a good reason why PACE was brought Westlea, West Swindon
remote field north of Swindon where in 30 years ago after the miscarriages (Behind Spectrum ‘Renault’ building)
Becky's remains were found. So when of justice of the 1970s.
Halliwell went to Tel: 01793 602552
court for killing Sian, • Free parking •Cash/cheques only
he was also charged Open Tuesday to Saturday.
with Becky's murder. Late night Wed & Thurs Head Rush crew: Gemma, Emi, Kathy & Julie
But this time there www.headrushsalon.co.uk
was a problem. On
the day Halliwell was
caught, DS Fulcher
had decided to act Open daily from
quickly, while his Saturday 30th November
suspect was still co-
operating. In doing Southleaze
so, he failed to take
him straight to a Christmas Trees
police station to be
interviewed under The widest range at the best prices
caution in the pres-
ence of a lawyer. Robert Buckland and Karen Edwards who is gathering West Swindon’s supplier
This procedure 100,000 signatures on a petition to have PACE debated
must be followed in Parliament. She has over 30,000 so far. Find out more Tel: 01793 812322
under the Police and and download a petition pack from Facebook: www. email: [email protected]
Criminal Evidence bit.ly/justiceforbecky Photo: Richard Wintle of Calyx
Act 1984, otherwise known as PACE. PACE is there to protect the police LOCAL FREE RANGE
Because that law hadn't been followed as much as the public. Without it,
to the letter, the judge ruled that the there could be a potential challenge TURKEYS
evidence was not admissable in court. to the way officers have behaved in RAISED TO HIGH WELFARE
It didn't matter that Halliwell had every case, and the guilty might go
confessed to the police and led them free. But we still need further changes STANDARDS IN SWINDON
to Becky's body, nor that DS Fulcher's to the strict rules which scuppered To order call Niall Jones
actions had given Becky's family the Halliwell’s conviction for Becky’s
answers they had sought for a decade. murder and have denied Karen the on 07792 306 542
Halliwell was jailed for murdering justice she deserves.
Sian, but Becky's murder remains Ultimately, though, there is one Open daily WEST OLD
SWINDON
TOWN
officially unsolved. person who holds the key to this. 10am - 6pm GREAT WESTERN WAY
More than a year on, Becky's mother Halliwell is already serving one life 16 BLAGROVE MILL LANE
Karen is still fighting for justice, and sentence. He could still tell the truth at Common BLOOMS HAY LANE CROFT ROAD
it's a fight I fully support. about what happened to Becky, so Farm, Wroughton WHARF ROAD M4
Changes should be made to PACE that her family can achieve the closure Tel: 01793 812322 WE ARE HERE WROUGHTON
so that investigating officers have they so desperately need and deserve.
swindonlink.com • December 2013 9

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