This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-wiltshire-39032693
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Christopher Halliwell's former Swindon home searched | |
(about 20 hours later) | |
The garden of a property where double-killer Christopher Halliwell once lived is being searched by police. | The garden of a property where double-killer Christopher Halliwell once lived is being searched by police. |
Officers are digging at two addresses in Broad Street, Swindon. The work is expected to take five days. | Officers are digging at two addresses in Broad Street, Swindon. The work is expected to take five days. |
Taxi driver Halliwell was jailed for life last year for the 2003 murder of Becky Godden, having already admitted killing Sian O'Callaghan in 2011. | |
Wiltshire Police said the excavation was related to new intelligence the force had received. | Wiltshire Police said the excavation was related to new intelligence the force had received. |
Det Ch Insp Jeremy Carter said: "Searches are being conducted in the gardens and garages of two properties in Broad Street over this coming week. | |
"Whilst we do not have plans, at this stage, to search inside the properties, there will be some disruption to the occupants. | "Whilst we do not have plans, at this stage, to search inside the properties, there will be some disruption to the occupants. |
"I would like to make it clear that those living at the addresses have no involvement in the investigation and we thank them for their understanding and patience." | "I would like to make it clear that those living at the addresses have no involvement in the investigation and we thank them for their understanding and patience." |
Several security staff are guarding the scene of the search and a black tarpaulin has been erected across an alleyway by the house along with white tents. | |
One resident, who did not wish to be named, described the street as "quiet". | |
He said the occupants of one of the houses - where Halliwell lived with ex-wife Lisa between 1997 and 2001 - changed frequently. | |
A local shopkeeper added: "I used to work in a petrol station and [Halliwell] would come in to buy his petrol and diesel. He was quiet, normal." | |
BBC West's home affairs correspondent Charlotte Callen said one potential line of police inquiry is the disappearance of Sally Ann John, who was working as a prostitute when she went missing from Swindon, aged 23, in 1995. | BBC West's home affairs correspondent Charlotte Callen said one potential line of police inquiry is the disappearance of Sally Ann John, who was working as a prostitute when she went missing from Swindon, aged 23, in 1995. |
She lived close to the killer at the time. | |
Halliwell was jailed for life in 2012 for the murder of Miss O'Callaghan, 22, and was told he must serve at least 25 years in prison. | |
He was convicted of murdering Miss Godden, 20, last September and given a whole-life sentence. | He was convicted of murdering Miss Godden, 20, last September and given a whole-life sentence. |
Halliwell evaded justice for five years in relation to Ms Godden's death due to police breaching arrest guidelines. | Halliwell evaded justice for five years in relation to Ms Godden's death due to police breaching arrest guidelines. |
While offers were investigating the disappearance of Ms O'Callaghan, Halliwell offered to take police to "another one" and led officers to a field in Gloucestershire, where Ms Godden's remains were found. | |
However, arrest guidelines were not met so his confession was inadmissible when the case first went to court. | However, arrest guidelines were not met so his confession was inadmissible when the case first went to court. |