Colchester judge commends work of officers and staff during attempted murder trial
It's for their work to identify and resolve issues involving witness intimidation
Two detectives and a criminal intelligence analyst have been commended for their work to identify and resolve issues involving witness intimidation during an attempted murder trial.
The commendation particularly recognised the work of Detective Sergeant Paul Olney and Detective Constable Mike Heslegrave, together with criminal intelligence analyst Gill Handley.
It's in relation to a weekend in the middle of the seven-week trial of two men and a teenager for attempting to murder a man in Marks Tey in October 2018. This saw Paul, Mike and Gillthey successfully identify and resolve issues involving the intimidation of a key witness.
Their work ensured the trial could continue.
Judge Martyn Levett:
“Their work demonstrates to me that these cases can’t be presented by the prosecution or, indeed, the defence on either side unless the advocates have worked hard in trying to pull everything together. But, of course, they’ve got nothing to pull together unless the material’s there in the first place and, again, it seems something I should acknowledge.”
Detective Constable Mike Heslegrave:
“In the middle of the trial, the witness’s evidence turned round completely but we spent a weekend identifying what had happened and how.
“The investigation was very intensive so to be recognised by the judge makes me feel very proud.”
Detective Sergeant Paul Olney:
“It was our biggest investigation in Colchester CID. The trial was initially set for two weeks but it lasted for seven. Gill’s work was crucial to it continuing. We were able to arrest a suspect quickly and ensure the witness was safeguarded.
“To receive a Judge’s Commendation as an investigator shows just how much work goes into preparing the case and what the judge thought of that. It’s fantastic to have a judge say ‘you’ve done really well’. The victim and his family were also very appreciative.”
Criminal intelligence analyst Gill Handley:
“It was a team effort. We all wanted to achieve the right outcome and I felt very privileged to be able to help with that. I was delighted to be recognised. I sit behind a computer and to receive praise from my peers, the Chief Constable and a judge is very nice.”
All three defendants were convicted in October 2019 at Ipswich Crown Court of attempted murder and later sentenced to a total of 71 years in jail.
The victim, a man in his 40s, sustained life-changing injuries after he was lured to an area of Marks Tey and stabbed several times.