Murder case police may face disciplinary charges
00:00, 05 December 2002
POLICE say it should be known within the next two weeks whether disciplinary charges are to be brought against officers involved in an investigation into a woman's murder.
Michelle Fraser, 30, was strangled by her husband, Neil, last March in front of her 11-year-old son at their home on the Buckland Estate, Dover. Days later Mr Fraser was found dead.
At a joint inquest yesterday coroner Rachel Redman recorded a verdict of unlawful killing on Mrs Fraser and an open verdict on the death of her husband.
At the inquest Kent Police admitted they "could have done better" in dealing with Neil Fraser in the days before he murdered his wife. Just two days before the killing Fraser was arrested and charged with threats to kill his wife but he was later bailed to an address in Mill Hill, Deal, on the condition he did not come into contact with his wife.
DCI Chris Hogben, the senior investigating officer in the case who requested an independent investigation into the circumstances, told the inquest: "If there are lessons to be learnt we should learn them.
"From the fact that we asked for the investigation it is fair to read that we weren't satisfied that we had got everything right. There were things we could have done better."
An internal police inquiry has been conducted by Hertfordshire Police supervised by the Police Complaints Authority. A police spokeswoman said: "They have yet to give their view on whether there will be any discipline charges. It is expected that will take another one to two weeks."
Latest news
Features
Most popular
- 1
‘This rat-run bridge isn’t wide enough - someone will be killed soon’
- 2
Boy, 16, found safe after going missing nine days ago
2 - 3
Only shop in village to shut this week as ‘devastated’ couple leave Kent
16 - 4
A-road shut in both directions after water main bursts
- 5
Mum joined teen son in smashing up ex’s family home and car