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 6 Version 7
'Changes needed' to system after Milly Dowler trial 'Changes needed' to system after Milly Dowler trial
(40 minutes later)
  
The man who oversaw the Milly Dowler murder investigation says the justice system will be undermined if victims are not treated sensitively in court.The man who oversaw the Milly Dowler murder investigation says the justice system will be undermined if victims are not treated sensitively in court.
Milly's parents Bob and Sally Dowler have criticised the way they were cross examined during Levi Bellfield's trial. Milly's parents Bob and Sally Dowler have criticised the way they were cross-examined in Levi Bellfield's trial.
Surrey Police Chief Constable Mark Rowley said he was "shocked" by their treatment and called for changes.Surrey Police Chief Constable Mark Rowley said he was "shocked" by their treatment and called for changes.
The director of public prosecutions said the case had raised "fundamental questions" that needed answering.The director of public prosecutions said the case had raised "fundamental questions" that needed answering.
Keir Starmer QC said he would examine how victims were treated. "We will be contributing to the review by the Ministry of Justice into all aspects of victim support," he said.Keir Starmer QC said he would examine how victims were treated. "We will be contributing to the review by the Ministry of Justice into all aspects of victim support," he said.
'Too high a price''Too high a price'
Bellfield was given a whole life tariff by a judge at the Old Bailey on Friday for murdering 13-year-old Milly, who was abducted from Walton-on-Thames in 2002.Bellfield was given a whole life tariff by a judge at the Old Bailey on Friday for murdering 13-year-old Milly, who was abducted from Walton-on-Thames in 2002.
Details of the Dowler family's private life were revealed during his trial, including the fact that Milly discovered pornography magazines at the family home.Details of the Dowler family's private life were revealed during his trial, including the fact that Milly discovered pornography magazines at the 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.
In recent years, much has been done to re-balance the criminal justice system to protect victims and witnesses.In recent years, much has been done to re-balance the criminal justice system to protect victims and witnesses.
For instance, it is now more common for a defendant's previous convictions to be put in evidence. There are now stricter limits on questioning the complainant in rape cases about their previous sexual history.For instance, it is now more common for a defendant's previous convictions to be put in evidence. There are now stricter limits on questioning the complainant in rape cases about their previous sexual history.
In addition, there are so-called "special measures" which allow witnesses to give evidence from behind screens or by video link so that court is less traumatic.In addition, there are so-called "special measures" which allow witnesses to give evidence from behind screens or by video link so that court is less traumatic.
However, this latest trial of Levi Bellfield raises the question of whether, with all of that, the system remains unbalanced.However, this latest trial of Levi Bellfield raises the question of whether, with all of that, the system remains unbalanced.
Under our adversarial system, defence barristers sometimes have to put defences that are thin, unattractive, and deeply personal. The judge has the power to stop any questions that are improper or oppressive.Under our adversarial system, defence barristers sometimes have to put defences that are thin, unattractive, and deeply personal. The judge has the power to stop any questions that are improper or oppressive.
This case raises the issue as to whether specific guidance is now needed where witnesses are being cross-examined on deeply personal matters.This case raises the issue as to whether specific guidance is now needed where witnesses are being cross-examined on deeply personal matters.
The Dowlers said they had suffered a "mentally scarring experience on an unimaginable scale" during his trial and that they paid "too high a price" for the conviction of Bellfield. The Dowlers said they had suffered a "mentally scarring experience on an unimaginable scale" during his trial and that they paid "too high a price" for the conviction.
Chief Constable Rowley said victims and witnesses needed more protection during court cases. Chief Constable Rowley admitted police made mistakes but told the BBC's Today programme the "dignity and care that is lost in the treatment of victims and witnesses in sensitive cases is startling".
He admitted the police made mistakes but told the BBC's Today programme that the "dignity and care that is lost in the treatment of victims and witnesses in sensitive cases is startling". He said: "People see, sometimes, the care of victims and witnesses as a nice moral add-on. It can't be that.
"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.
"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.""I'm not saying never go personal, but if you go personal then for goodness sake, think about the dignity of the people involved."
'Extra anxiety' Chief Constable 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-injunctions.
Chief Constable 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-injunctions to protect details of their personal lives "when they make their living out of publicity". But John Cooper QC, a barrister, said: "If this was happening all the time it would be worrying - but it's not always as traumatic as this.
He conceded the police investigation into Bellfield had not been "perfect", adding that he had spoken to the family of Marsha McDonnell, 19, who was murdered by Bellfield 11 months after he killed Milly Dowler. "We should not allow Levi Bellfield to hijack the criminal justice system.
"I told them there is some uncertainty about what could have been done differently at the start of the investigation. "Bellfield should not contaminate what is overall a decent system."
"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. And Mark Leech, editor of the national prisoners' newspaper ConVerse, said: "There is no need for reform because the judge already acts as a safeguard to unnecessary and intrusive questioning."
"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."
But Mark Leech, editor of the national prisoners' newspaper ConVerse, said: "There is no need for reform of the way victims and their families are treated in court because the judge already acts as a safeguard to unnecessary and intrusive questioning which falls outside what is legitimate to the defence."
He described the chief constable's reform call as "disingenuous" and an "unnecessary knee-jerk response from a police force which is embarrassed by the fact that it didn't act sooner to arrest Bellfield".He described the chief constable's reform call as "disingenuous" and an "unnecessary knee-jerk response from a police force which is embarrassed by the fact that it didn't act sooner to arrest Bellfield".
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.
Chief Constable Rowley also revealed he had spoken to the family of Marsha McDonnell, 19, murdered by Bellfield 11 months after he killed Milly.
He said: "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.
"I've apologised to them about that."