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'Changes needed' to system after Milly Dowler trial 'Changes needed' to system after Milly Dowler trial
(about 1 hour 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. Bob and Sally Dowler have criticised the way they were cross examined during the trial of Levi Bellfield.
He said he was "upset and embarrassed" by the way the family had been treated. Surrey Police Chief Constable Mark Rowley said he was "shocked" by their treatment and victims and witnesses needed protection during court cases.
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 said it raised "fundamental questions".
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. Keir Starmer QC said he would examine how victims were treated.
Bellfield 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". Mr Rowley admitted the police made mistakes but told the Today programme that the "dignity and care that is lost in the treatment of victims and witnesses in sensitive cases is startling".
'Too high a price''Too high a price'
"People see, sometimes, the care of victims and witnesses as a nice moral add-on. It can't be that. They're the lifeblood of the system and unless we treat them carefully and thoughtfully, fundamentally it undermines the system in the long term.
"Somehow we need to find a different way into the system that looks at, with equal vigour, how can we care for the victims and witnesses in these cases, while testing the evidence, and how do we protect privacy as well.
"I'm not saying never go personal, but if you go personal then for goodness sake, think about the dignity of the people involved."
Mr Rowley also said it was a "most bizarre and distressing coincidence" that as the Dowler family were having their privacy "destroyed" footballers were being granted super-injuctions to protect details of their personal lives "when they make their living out of publicity".
Mr Rowley conceded that the police investigation into Bellfield had not been "perfect".
He added that he spoken to the family of Marsha McDonnell, who was murdered by Bellfield. "I told them there is some uncertainty about what could have been done differently at the start of the investigation.
"There's certain things I would like to have been done differently in terms of the house to house [inquiries] and the linking of incidents.
"Looking at it, it looks very unlikely it would have taken us to the answer more quickly but of course I can never be certain about that, and that adds extra anxiety and I've apologised to them about that."
'Awful experience'
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".