By Samantha Jones-
Sussex Police has issued a formal apology for shortcomings in its initial investigation into the tragic murders of nine-year-old girls Nicola Fellows and Karen Hadaway(both pictured) in 1986.
The force has also expressed regret for the wrongful arrest of Barrie Fellows, Nicola’s father, in a connected investigation in 2009.
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The heart-wrenching case shocked the nation in 1986 when the two schoolgirls were sexually assaulted and strangled in Brighton woodland by paedophile Russell Bishop, who was 20 years old at the time.
The killings, dubbed the “Babes in the Wood” murders, echoed the grim tale of the same name, leaving a lasting scar on the community.
Brighton schoolgirls Karen Hadaway (left) and Nicola Fellows (right)Credit: PA
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Despite Bishop’s initial acquittal in December 1987 due to deficiencies in the police and prosecution case, justice was eventually served when he was convicted in 2018.
His retrial, made possible under reformed double jeopardy laws, relied on fresh forensic evidence, bringing closure to Nicola and Karen’s grieving families after over three decades of anguish.
Chief Constable of Sussex Police, Jo Shiner, spearheaded an internal review following complaints lodged by the families, culminating in a formal apology for the investigative failures and wrongful arrest of Mr. Fellows.
The apology marks a significant step towards acknowledging the pain and suffering endured by the families throughout the protracted legal battle.
Details of the internal review remain undisclosed at the families’ request due to the sensitivity of the matter. However, the apology serves as a testament to Sussex Police’s commitment to accountability and transparency in addressing past mistakes.
During Bishop’s second trial, he attempted to deflect blame onto Nicola’s father, further compounding the anguish of the Fellows family.
However, Sussex Police confirmed on Wednesday that there was no evidence to support the allegations against Mr. Fellows, emphasizing the need to rectify past injustices and uphold the integrity of the legal process.
In a statement issued through Sussex Police following the force’s apology, the families said: “This two-fold apology from Sussex Police is very much welcomed by both our families.
“It will help with our reconciliation of aspects that we had never fully understood, things that we always suspected but had never been addressed.
“There are still more answers to be sought in relation to the 1987 failures, but the part that Sussex Police had to play in the initial miscarriages of justice has now been answered and we appreciate the open and authentic way our apologies have been delivered.
“We are particularly relieved that Nicola’s father, Barrie Fellows, has also been fully vindicated of any wrongdoing. Barrie was made a public scapegoat whilst his life and that of his family, was already in pieces.
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“This apology from Sussex Police for his wrongful arrest will help him to finally move forward with his life. His name has rightfully and properly been cleared.”