Father could be charged over Poppi’s death after all
…as former Miss GB policewoman faces an inquiry into botched case
THE father of tragic Poppi Worthington may face criminal charges after all, prosecutors said last night.
A judge this week ruled that Paul Worthington, 48, raped or gravely assaulted his 13month- old daughter before she died in 2012.
The Crown Prosecution Service has now said it is ‘reviewing’ its decision last year not to take any action over the case. Officials were provided with a file by Cumbrian police who were accused of carrying out a botched investigation.
However, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said that just one officer faces disciplinary proceedings which may result in dismissal.
Detective Inspector Amanda Sadler – a former beauty queen who was Miss Great Britain 1989 – is to undergo a ‘ satisfactory performance’ inquiry. The harrowing case has resurfaced following the findings of High Court Judge Mr Justice Peter Jackson following a legal campaign by the Daily Mail and other media groups.
In a fact-finding judgment released on Tuesday, his report said Poppi must have suffered terrible injuries following a sexual assault by her father at the family home in Barrow-in-Furness.
He said an incompetent and ‘ deficient’ investigation by Cumbria police meant the evidence that could have proved how she died was lost. Officers failed to begin any serious investigation for more than eight months.
The CPS said yesterday: ‘Following the findings of the Family Court judge we are now reviewing the case.’
The Family Court has ignited an outcry over the way the authorities in Cumbria covered up the case. For three years the conduct of police, social workers and medical staff was hushed up, and at one stage the local council tried to persuade a court to ban all mention of the death until 2029.
In a furious Commons debate, MPs from all parties have demanded an outside police force be sent in to start a new criminal investigation.
The Daily Mail has now learned that Cumbria police defied recommendations by watchdog the IPCC to bring gross misconduct charges against several officers.
A report into the affair, handed to the force in May last year but not made available to the public, said there should be a full inquiry into DI Sadler, Detective Chief Inspector Mike Forrester and other officers.
Such hearings would have been held in public along with Home Office guidelines. However, DCI Forrester has been allowed to retire without going before a public hearing, and DI Sadler now faces a lesser charge which, crucially, means that hearings can be carried out in secret.
Last night Mr Forrester said: ‘They are trying to keep it all secret. I have said I would welcome a gross misconduct hearing for a chance to fight my corner and defend myself in public.’
As pressure piled on the force the county’s Police and Crime Commissioner Richard Rhodes yesterday broke his silence and called the initial investigation ‘inadequate and unacceptable’.
Labour MP John Woodcock condemned the failure to hear complaints against police officers in public.
But he said of the review by the CPS: ‘This shows the public pressure to get justice for Poppi is making a difference, we need to keep pushing until we get the case properly re-opened.’
The IPCC said it will consider publishing its investigation report ‘once all relevant proceedings have concluded’. Ministers have so far declined to take any action against police or social workers before a second inquest into Poppi’s death is held.
A farcical first inquest lasted just seven minutes and suppressed all information about her death.
‘The pressure
for justice’