Murder

Kidnap

Infanticide

Operation YELLOWSTONE was a domestic murder involving a husband and wife at an address in Northampton.

The male victim received a single stab wound to chest with a kitchen knife, piercing his heart.

The scene was a multi-occupancy, three story, mid-terrace house where the victim and his wife shared the top floor room.

Initially all those who were present at the address at time of incident were arrested on suspicion of murder. This is a necessary means of securing both physical evidence (e.g. clothing) and the accounts of those present in situations where it is not clear what has taken place. After questioning, all-but one person were released from police custody. This being the victim's wife.

From the outset, witnesses at the address had stated that the offender had made significant comments at the time of the incident, to the effect of “DID I REALLY KILL HIM?  I DON'T BELIEVE IT HAPPENED”, it is said that she then knelt down next to him and said “MY DARLING STAY ALIVE DON'T DIE ; also the last reported words of the victim were to the effect of "THIS FOOL WOMAN STABBED ME” .

When later questioned, the wife denied stabbing her husband, and stated that the victim had gone to buy items from the local store after returning from his place of work, when he returned from the store some ten minutes later, the victim stated that he had been stabbed, thereby implicating a stranger.

After extensive forensic, CCTV and house-to-house enquiries it soon became apparent that there was no substance to the wife's claims and when challenged she later changed her story to one of self-defence, stating she was arguing with her husband and she was defending herself.

None of the residents within the address reported hearing any disturbance; either at the time, or when questioned.

The wife also stated that there was a history of domestic incidents between them. Upon checking with both UK and their home country police records - there was no trace of any reported domestic related matters between the two. Officers were deployed abroad to speak directly to the international police and to take a statement from the victim's family.

The forensic investigation established that the only evident traces of blood were located within the top-floor room they shared and on the stairway leading down to the first floor landing, where the victim was treated by police officers and ambulance staff. No traces of blood were found on stairs leading to the ground floor of the property or in the street between the scene and the local shop.

The wife was charged with murder of her husband.

The investigation commenced on Tuesday 6 January 2009, under the direction of a major investigation team Senior Investigating Officer and a team of detectives from the Major Investigation Team. The enquiry concluded on 23 July 2009, when the offender was convicted of manslaughter and sentenced to four and a half years custody and ordered to be deported upon prison release.

Kidnap

Operation GADSHILL was the investigation into the alleged kidnapping of two Icelandic females who were in their late teens.

A call was received (in Iceland) at approximately 18:19 hours on Sunday 12 July 2009 by the step-father of one of the females. Upon answering the phone, he spoke to his stepdaughter, who stated that she and her friend were being held against their will by three males who were known to them (they did not disclose their names or location). Moreover, they disclosed that they were to be taken to France on 13 July 2009. However, despite this disclosure by the two females, no demands or threats had been made.

The step-father informed the local police in Iceland who contacted Interpol and the originating phone number was identified to a telephone kiosk in the town centre of Northampton.

As a result of this contact, SOCA (Serious Organised Crime Agency) were notified, who then contacted Northamptonshire Police. A kidnap enquiry was launched under the direction of the Major Crime Detective Superintendent to trace and bring the girls to safety. A number of officers were engaged in nationwide and international enquiries to trace the girls. Officers were despatched to Iceland to speak to members of the girls' families and support them should contact be made with them.

Despite a comprehensive investigation strategy being employed, involving dozens of officers, the whereabouts and safety of the two females remained unknown for some days after the original (and only) telephone call was made. There was only one potential sighting of the girls at a phone box in Northampton. No further contact made by either girl. On the 15 July 2009 contact was suddenly re-established with one of the girls, who were still in the Northampton area. Working with the enquiry team here and in Iceland a family member made an arrangement for them to visit a location whereby the Police were able to find both of the girls safe and well and take them to police premises.

The enquiry demonstrated the usefulness of social networking sites and Northamptonshire Police were innovative in using those networks to trace the girls.

The girls declined to provide details of the people who had been allegedly holding them. Both girls have subsequently been spoken to by other UK police forces for matters which occurred during the previous four months. Both girls currently remain in the UK pending the outcome of those matters.

Infanticide

Operation Peerage was the investigation into the unlawful death of a new-born baby in Northampton in April 2009.

In September the mother, who had kept the pregnancy from her mother, was convicted of an offence of infanticide, allowing that the balance of her mind may have been disturbed by the effects of giving birth.

The Senior Investigating Officer leading the enquiry said, “This was an emotive incident to deal with but features as an excellent example of an enhanced joint investigation between different teams within the Investigations Directorate and strands of the local Primary Care Trust and Social Care teams.  The system process was managed by a Major Investigation Team (MIT) HOLMES 2 clerk, the defendant was dealt with by Child Abuse investigators and the investigation was managed by MIT Detectives.