A POLICE chief has hit out at a couple for making "personal and distasteful" complaints after his force was cleared of failing to adequately investigate the death of a two-year-old boy.
Suzanne Holdsworth was jailed for life in 2005 after being convicted of killing two year-old Kyle Fisher by banging his head against a banister at her home in Hartlepool.
Her conviction was overturned by the Court of Appeal in 2008 and she was subsequently cleared in a retrial later that year.
Following her acquittal, her partner Lee Spencer made 27 complaints against Cleveland Police about how they had handled the inquiry into the toddler's death.
The complaints were against three serving and three retired officers and focused mainly on claims that they did not fully examine all the evidence, including CCTV footage from a shop she said she had visited, and Kyle's previous medical history.
But the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) yesterday (TUES) said there was no evidence to support the allegations that the force failed to adequately investigate the death of the two-year-old.
However, the report did say there was a need for "absolute detail and clarity" within record-keeping with regard to the CCTV, and that senior officers in major inquiries could benefit from peer review.
The IPCC also suggested the force should consider apologising to Ms Holdsworth, who had been babysitting Kyle.
Chief Constable Sean Price, of Cleveland Police, said there had been no suppression of evidence by the force and that the officers involved had been caused a lot of stress He said: "Mr Spencer has now been shown to have made 27 unsubstantiated complaints against the police, some of which were of a very personal and distasteful nature and caused a great deal of stress for the officers who were subject to the allegations," he said.
"Ms Holdsworth has admitted she lied to police during a child murder investigation, and is on record as stating she believes it is these lies that may have led to her original conviction.
"In such circumstances I do not think an apology is appropriate."
Speaking to The Northern Echo, Mr Spencer vowed to continue to fight for answers.
"I find the comments made by Sean Price insulting,"
He said. "It is disgusting he can say this. I am angry.
"He says it has been stressful for his officers but what about us, Suzanne spent three-and-a-half years in prison for something she didn't do. How do you think she feels?
"This is not the end. We are going for a judicial review and I am also calling for an inquest. Hopefully this will highlight a few things.
"There is so much that has still not come out and been answered. We have gone through with this investigation but we don't agree with the outcome.
"We have evidence to back up our complaints.
"This is about the sad untimely death of a young child, no-one seems to grasp that."
The couple, who moved to Leeds due to bail restrictions in 2007, said emotions are still raw and that they have to take each day as it comes.
IPCC Commissioner Nicholas Long said: "I believe this investigation has been a comprehensive investigation and examined each and every complaint in detail.
"What it has concluded is that those complaints cannot be substantiated. There is no evidence of any misconduct.
"However, it is clear the issue surrounding the CCTV footage from the shop was a crucial aspect to Ms Holdsworth and Mr Spencer. It was evidence which could have proven Ms Holdsworth's account of her movements on the day.
"The poor record keeping by the police officers around this does not reflect well on Cleveland Police, hence the recommendation about the need for absolute clarity and detail.
"But I believe in respect of this specific matter Cleveland Police should consider whether Ms Holdsworth deserves an apology. This is not something the IPCC can force Cleveland Police to do, but I believe it is the right thing to do."
He added: "I fully appreciate that, given the experience Ms Holdsworth and Mr Spencer have gone through, this is not necessarily the outcome they expected or wanted.
"Nobody can give back the time Ms Holdsworth has lost through her imprisonment and the incredibly stressful experience she has endured.
"But I do hope the investigation has provided answers to the questions and helped explain the actions the police took."
Mr Price added: "The most tragic aspect of this case has been the death of a two-year-old boy, who had his whole life in front of him and we should not lose sight of this.
"I again extend my sympathies to his family and hope that with the conclusion of this IPCC inquiry they will now be allowed the time and space to try to come to terms with their grief and rebuild their lives."
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