Crime Tsar says Ackland should never be free

ALISON Hernandez, the police and crime commissioner for Devon and Cornwall, said she hoped Cody Ackland was never released from prison for murdering Bobbi-Anne McLeod.

“This case illustrates the best and worst in humanity. The worst in a killer who showed such incredible cruelty to his victim and the best in the community in Plymouth who expressed an outpouring of grief and support for Bobbi-Anne’s family,” she said.

“I hope her loved ones and the community take some solace in the fact that he is locked up and police have investigated this case with professionalism and compassion, even though nothing will ease the devastation of losing Bobbi-Anne, a much-loved young woman.

“This case has touched the hearts of people around the country. No reasonable person could ever fathom the actions of this murderer and I hope, for public safety and reassurance, that he’s never released.”

Commissioner Hernandez also said the case highlighted the challenging job serious crime investigators do, especially when the perpetrator is not known to police. “To hear a senior detective like Chief Superintendent Mike West describe this type of behaviour as ‘unheard of ’ highlights the exceptionally difficult work police officers carry out to secure justice for families,” she said.

She said she was working with Chief Constable Shaun Sawyer on the Serious Violence Prevention Partnership. She said more work was needed.

“Much work remains to be done but today my heart goes out to Bobbi-Anne’s loved ones,” she said.