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IPCC reviews Stephen Beattie 'botched' police cases IPCC reviews Stephen Beattie 'botched' police cases
(35 minutes later)
More than 300 criminal cases that were potentially botched by a scenes of crime officer are being reviewed by the police watchdog. More than 300 cases potentially botched by a scenes of crime officer, including suspicious deaths and arsons, are being reviewed by the police watchdog.
Stephen Beattie, 49, allegedly lied about his qualifications while working for Staffordshire and Cleveland police.Stephen Beattie, 49, allegedly lied about his qualifications while working for Staffordshire and Cleveland police.
His work first came under scrutiny from the Independent Police Complaints Commission in 2011 for allegations he "undermined dozens of criminal cases."His work first came under scrutiny from the Independent Police Complaints Commission in 2011 for allegations he "undermined dozens of criminal cases."
It said that 355 of his cases were being looked at again. It said 355 of his cases were being looked at again.
In August, the IPCC revealed it was re-examining 90 cases involving suspicious deaths but that had now risen to 141, it said.In August, the IPCC revealed it was re-examining 90 cases involving suspicious deaths but that had now risen to 141, it said.
Investigators have so far found eight that could have been tainted, the IPCC said. 'Huge task'
A total of 214 arson investigations are also being reviewed. Investigators have so far found eight suspicious death cases on Teesside that could have been tainted, the IPCC said.
Sixteen of those cases had been referred to the Crown Prosecution Service to consider possible charges, the IPCC said. More than 200 arson cases are also being looked at and 16 have been referred to the Crown Prosecution Service for consideration of potential prosecution.
'Substandard work' IPCC commissioner Cindy Butts said the inquiry spanned a 15-year period.
IPCC commissioner Cindy Butts said: "The examination of those cases is ongoing but is a huge task and will take several more months. She said: "The examination of those cases is ongoing but is a huge task and will take several more months.
"The most significant cases have been prioritised and any additional work identified has been acted on immediately.""The most significant cases have been prioritised and any additional work identified has been acted on immediately."
Cleveland Police said it was reviewing 3,308 exhibits handled by Stephen Beattie and had classed 480 as causing the highest level of concern. 'Substandard work'
Cleveland Police has so far reviewed 90 of the 141 suspicious death investigations Mr Beattie had worked on.
It said families affected by these cases had been kept informed.It said families affected by these cases had been kept informed.
Staffordshire Police said it was looking at 1,570 scenes of crime report forms and had found that 32 need further analysis. Staffordshire Police said it was looking at 1,570 scenes of crime report forms and had found 32 needed further analysis.
Stephen Beattie, who worked for Staffordshire Police from 1996 to 2002 and Cleveland Police from 2002 to 2011, was arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice in May 2011 and remains on bail. Mr Beattie, who worked for Staffordshire Police from 1996 to 2002 and Cleveland Police from 2002 to 2011, was arrested on suspicion of perverting the course of justice in May 2011 and remains on bail.
He faces allegations that he potentially undermined investigations with substandard work and lied about his qualifications when involved in arson cases. He faces allegations he potentially undermined investigations with substandard work and lied about his qualifications when involved in arson cases.
He was suspended from duty by Cleveland Police in February 2011 and resigned in October 2011.He was suspended from duty by Cleveland Police in February 2011 and resigned in October 2011.