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/go/rss/int/news/-/news/uk-england-13913964
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
'Changes needed' to system after Milly Dowler trial | 'Changes needed' to system after Milly Dowler trial |
(about 2 hours later) | |
The man who oversaw the police investigation into the murder of schoolgirl Milly Dowler has called for changes to the criminal justice system. | The man who oversaw the police investigation into the murder of schoolgirl Milly Dowler has called for changes to the criminal justice system. |
Surrey Police Chief Constable Mark Rowley said victims and witnesses need protection during court cases. | |
He said he was "upset and embarrassed" by the way the family had been treated. | He said he was "upset and embarrassed" by the way the family had been treated. |
The director of public prosecutions, Keir Starmer QC, said the case raised "fundamental questions" and he would examine how victims are treated. | The director of public prosecutions, Keir Starmer QC, said the case raised "fundamental questions" and he would examine how victims are treated. |
Bob and Sally Dowler have criticised the way they were cross examined during the trial of Levi Bellfield, who was given a whole life tariff by a judge at the Old Bailey on Friday. | Bob and Sally Dowler have criticised the way they were cross examined during the trial of Levi Bellfield, who was given a whole life tariff by a judge at the Old Bailey on Friday. |
The Dowlers said they suffered a "mentally scarring experience on an unimaginable scale". | The Dowlers said they suffered a "mentally scarring experience on an unimaginable scale". |
Writing in The Times, Mr Rowley admits the police made mistakes but he says the justice system sometimes shows a "disgraceful lack of humanity". | Writing in The Times, Mr Rowley admits the police made mistakes but he says the justice system sometimes shows a "disgraceful lack of humanity". |
'Too high a price' | 'Too high a price' |
The family of 13-year-old Milly Dowler, who was abducted from Walton-on-Thames in 2002, have said they paid "too high a price" for the conviction of Bellfield. | The family of 13-year-old Milly Dowler, who was abducted from Walton-on-Thames in 2002, have said they paid "too high a price" for the conviction of Bellfield. |
Mr Dowler said the justice system was loaded unfairly in favour of the criminal. | Mr Dowler said the justice system was loaded unfairly in favour of the criminal. |
Mr Starmer said: "We will be contributing to the review by the Ministry of Justice into all aspects of victim support." | Mr Starmer said: "We will be contributing to the review by the Ministry of Justice into all aspects of victim support." |
Mrs Dowler said her daughter had been defamed in court as unhappy and depressed. | Mrs Dowler said her daughter had been defamed in court as unhappy and depressed. |
She said the trial had been a "truly awful experience". | She said the trial had been a "truly awful experience". |
But she said "at last the man responsible for the cruel murder of our darling daughter" had been brought to justice. | But she said "at last the man responsible for the cruel murder of our darling daughter" had been brought to justice. |
Milly's sister, Gemma Dowler said: "I can honestly say that the day my mother and father were questioned by the defence QC Mr Samuels was the worst day of my life." | Milly's sister, Gemma Dowler said: "I can honestly say that the day my mother and father were questioned by the defence QC Mr Samuels was the worst day of my life." |
Mrs Dowler collapsed after giving evidence during the trial, which had heard letters and poems written by her daughter describing herself as a "disappointment". | Mrs Dowler collapsed after giving evidence during the trial, which had heard letters and poems written by her daughter describing herself as a "disappointment". |
Following this, the prosecution decided not to call Milly's sister Gemma to give evidence. | Following this, the prosecution decided not to call Milly's sister Gemma to give evidence. |
Details of the family's private life were also revealed in court, including the fact that Milly discovered pornography magazines at the family home. | Details of the family's private life were also revealed in court, including the fact that Milly discovered pornography magazines at the family home. |
It was also revealed that Mr Dowler was initially considered a suspect in her disappearance after police found bondage material at their family home. | It was also revealed that Mr Dowler was initially considered a suspect in her disappearance after police found bondage material at their family home. |
During the prosecution's closing speeches, Brian Altman QC accused Bellfield of putting Milly's grieving parents on trial. | During the prosecution's closing speeches, Brian Altman QC accused Bellfield of putting Milly's grieving parents on trial. |
Bellfield had also faced a charge of attempting to abduct Rachel Cowles, who is now 21, but the jury was discharged and there will be no retrial. | Bellfield had also faced a charge of attempting to abduct Rachel Cowles, who is now 21, but the jury was discharged and there will be no retrial. |
Defence lawyers cited an "avalanche of adverse publicity" following Bellfield's conviction on Thursday for murdering Milly. | Defence lawyers cited an "avalanche of adverse publicity" following Bellfield's conviction on Thursday for murdering Milly. |
Attorney General Dominic Grieve QC is to consider whether there has been any possible contempt of court. | Attorney General Dominic Grieve QC is to consider whether there has been any possible contempt of court. |
Speaking outside court Ms Cowles said she was hurt and angry by what she called media coverage which had "robbed her of justice". | Speaking outside court Ms Cowles said she was hurt and angry by what she called media coverage which had "robbed her of justice". |