[57], On 6 August, Huntley drove from Soham to Grimsby to pick up Carr. [73] Numerous hairs later determined to belong to Chapman were discovered on a tree branch close to the location of the girls' bodies. Its opening was. Chaired by Sir Michael Bichard, the Bichard inquiry opened on 13 January 2004. [9], The final criminal allegation against Huntley prior to the Soham murders dates from July 1999. [164], Despite having few friends, Huntley formed several relationships with girls while attending Immingham Comprehensive. [6], The two girls and a friend named Natalie Parr played computer games and listened to music for about half an hour. The victim of this assault later said that Huntley had not been the perpetrator of her assault. Alarmed, she and her husband, Kevin, searched the house and nearby streets. A taxi driver stated he had seen him "thrashing his arms" as he struggled with two young girls inside his vehicle as he drove on the A142 south of Soham towards Newmarket around the time that the girls were last seen. [151][153], Carr pleaded guilty to the charge of perverting the course of justice, and not guilty to the charge of assisting an offender. [73][77] Nine days later, a public memorial service was held at Ely Cathedral for both girls. [217] Huntley again applied for compensation for the injuries he received in this attack, seeking 20,000 in damages. Council chiefs started an annual audit of CRB checks after it emerged that Huntley was cleared to work at Soham Village College despite alleged sex attacks in the past. Shortly thereafter, Huntley obtained employment as a barman in a local pub. [6][7] Before leaving home, Chapman informed her parents of her intention to also give her friend a necklace engraved with the letter H she had purchased for her on a recent family holiday to Menorca. "[21], Concluding his questioning, Hubbard cautioned the jury not to succumb to the temptation of judging Carr's morality, but to consider her state of mind prior to her arrest when considering whether the lies she had told warranted any criminal liability, stating she had "done no wrong" on the date of the children's murder, and had not returned to Soham until 6 August. [14], Huntley's motive for killing the children is unknown; minutes prior to encountering Wells and Chapman, he is known to have had an argument with Carr, ending in his slamming the phone down. The last piece of footage of Wells and Chapman depicts the children walking onto a car park on the grounds of Soham Village College. [1] He also stated that the girls had almost certainly not died at the location where their bodies had been discovered,[73] and that both bodies had been placed there within 24 hours of their deaths. [218][219][220], On 5 September 2006, Huntley attempted to kill himself by taking an overdose of antidepressants he had accumulated in his prison cell. [132][4], Referencing the likely motive for the girls' murder and the cause of death of each victim, Latham stated that due to the extensive state of decomposition of the bodies, the coroner had been unable to determine the precise cause of death of either child, or whether the girls had been sexually assaulted before or after death. [221] This resulted in his hospitalisation and a thorough search of his cell, in which a cassette tape was recovered. Mirage Publishing initially agreed to publish Carr's autobiography, but withdrew their offer after a feature on BBC Radio Newcastle prompted scores of complaints from the public. [146], On 10 December, counsel for both prosecution and defence delivered their closing arguments to the jury. [15], Within days of Huntley's formal sentencing, he reflected to the media on the prospect of spending the remainder of his life behind bars and of his fears for his security, exclaiming: "I'm going to rot inside this place. Testimony from Carr had indicated her suspicions sexual activity had occurred in their home in her absence as, although Huntley had insisted throughout their relationship that Carr perform all domestic chores, she noticed that he had washed the quilts, pillow cases and sheets of their bed in her absence. He then outlined the details of how Keith Pryer and his two friends had discovered the bodies on 17 August[131] at a location Huntley had known from his plane-spotting hobby and where they were unlikely to be discovered. [14], The prosecution contended at Huntley's trial that a likely sexual motive existed for the murders. [19] Following subsequent frantic efforts by the families of both girls to locate their daughters, Wells and Chapman were reported missing by their parents at 9:55p.m.[20], Police immediately launched an intensive search for the missing children. Eight years on from Soham, some Cambs schools are failing CRB duties. It was designed as a response to the Bichard Inquiry . Grimsby Institute of Further & Higher Education, "Soham Girls 'Likely to Have Been Asphyxiated', "Maxine Carr Gave Alibi to Save Me; Not to Deceive Police", "Judge Gives Huntley Forty Years And Little Hope", "Caretaker Charged with Murder of Two Girls and Sent to Rampton", "A Long Night Waiting For News That Never Came", "At Night I Sometimes Just Lay There and Cry", "Coroner: Girls' Bodies Were Moved to Woodland", "Ian Huntley Now: What Happened to the Soham Murderer After He Killed Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman", "Mistake Made by Maxine Carr that Showed She Knew Ian Huntley had Killed Soham Schoolgirls", "His Lies and Shallow Charm Fooled Dozens of People but They Hid a Violent, Bitter Man", "As Day Breaks, Huntley's House is Turned Into Dust and Rubble", "Was Jealousy Over Maxine the Trigger for Murder? [192][195][n 14], While Capp resided with her mother in Grimsby, she unofficially adopted the surname Benson. C ya around school! Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, both 10, were killed by Huntley after they went missing following a BBQ in Soham, Cambridgeshire, on 4 August 2002. [76] The Reverend Tim Alban Jones officiated at this service, saying: "Would not the best and most lasting memorial to these two lovely young girls be a change for the better in how we behave towards each other? He conceded his client was guilty of physical responsibility for the girls' actual deathsas Huntley had admittedand therefore deserved punishment, but argued that the prosecution had failed to provide definitive proof that Huntley had intended to murder the children or cause them bodily harm. Unchecked: 13,000 people working with children - including teachers, caretakers, dinner ladies and lollipop men [31], On 8 August,[32] CCTV footage of the girls, recorded minutes before their disappearance, was released to the public. "[17] Huntley did not reply to this message. ", "Caretaker Charged With Murder of Two Girls and Sent to Rampton", "Holly and Jessica: Two Bodies Found in Woods", "The Whole Town is Weeping: A Community Dazed by Grief and Disbelief", "Chatroom Contact Dismissed as False Lead", "Reconstruction of Children's Walk Too Painful for Parents to Watch", "Walking in the Last Known Footsteps of Holly and Jessica", "Abduction of Six-year-old May be Linked to Missing Girls", "A Long Night Waiting for News That Never Came", "Countdown to Murder of 'Two Little Beckhams', "Soham Murders: Why did Ian Huntley Kill Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman? She further explained her focus had therefore been to protect Huntley's job and reputation, adding that had she known of Huntley's guilt, she would never have attempted to provide him with a false alibi, stating to her counsel: "If, for a minute, I [had known] or believed he'd murdered either of those girls I would have been horrified. Huntley was later transferred to London's Belmarsh prison. [240], An added complication in these criminal vetting procedures was the fact that Huntley had applied for the caretaker's job under the name of Ian Nixon, although he divulged on the application form for this position that he was previously known as Ian Huntley. [229] Carr won an injunction on 24 February 2005, granting her lifelong anonymity on the grounds that her life would otherwise be in danger. However, the main check is with the Criminal Records Bureau, and since Maxine Carr did not fail a CRB check, there is an element of 20:20 hindsight in linking the 2004 convictions to the 2002 murders. Plans to prevent another scandal like the Soham murders will fail because they ignore the fact that child killer Ian Huntley gained access to his victims through his . I'm going to be inside forever, and it'll be torture. This vehicle was last seen turning into the Studlands Park housing estate. [147], The jury deliberated for four days before reaching their verdicts against both defendants. "[148], Following the conclusion of the prosecution's closing argument, Coward delivered his argument on behalf of the defence. [136], On 1 December, Huntley testified before the court in his defence. These findings ultimately led to the tightening of various procedures within the Criminal Records Bureau system, including compulsory checks into potential criminal backgrounds of people who apply to work with children. [66] Walking through an overgrown verge about 600 yards (550m) from a partially tarmacked road, Pryer and one of his companions, Adrian Lawrence, discovered the children's bodies. [14], At the urging of his father, Huntley joined the Air Training Corps at age 13. He tearfully claimed he had not attempted to feign insanity upon his arrest, insisting the trauma of the children's deaths had temporarily erased his memory and being in the presence of police had caused his mind to temporarily seize. [222] It is believed Huntley had agreed to make this recording for a fellow prisoner (who had hoped to later sell the confession to the media after his release), in return for being provided with the antidepressants he had used to attempt suicide. [123] He was transferred to a segregation unit at Woodhill prison in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire. [179] At the September 2005 hearing in which the minimum term Huntley should serve before any parole eligibility was decided, Mr Justice Moses stated: "There is a likelihood of [a] sexual motivation, but there was no evidence of sexual activity, and it remains no more than a likelihood. "[214], In the years since his incarceration, Huntley has been repeatedly attacked by other inmates. The findings also suggested a national system should be implemented for police forces to share intelligence information, and that all police forces should follow a clear code of practice on record-keeping. In particular to assess the effectiveness of the relevant intelligence-based record keeping, the vetting practices in those forces since 1995 and information sharing with other agencies, and to report to the Home Secretary on matters of local and national relevance and make recommendations as appropriate. [43], Several members of the public reported having seen the children in the early days of the investigation. Carr's decision to corroborate Huntley's lies to investigators and media in the early stages of the police investigation briefly resulted in police discounting Huntley as a suspect before eyewitness accounts of Carr's whereabouts on 4 August and a search of mobile phone and telephone records proved the, Huntley had attempted to burn these clothes in the late evening of 4 August; the, Investigators later discovered that a week before his arrest, Huntley had taken his car to an. [103][n 9] Fibres recovered from these garments were a precise match to samples retrieved from Huntley's body and clothing, as well as from 5 College Close. He applied for and secured employment as a senior caretaker at this secondary school in September 2001, supervising the work of four other employees. Referencing Carr's conscious efforts to deceive the police and media alike, Latham stated: "She had the prospect of marriage, a baby, a nice home and a new start. (This suspension was later overturned.) Section of Mr Justice Alan Moses' sentencing of Ian Huntley. Huntley had been suspected of a string of offences including rape, indecent assault and burglary. Today's service is a small milestone in our shared journey of grief and sorrow it is our hope that we may perhaps draw a line under one phase of our grieving and begin to look forward. 0 . Both were arrested on suspicion of abduction and murder at 4:30a.m. on 17 August. [191] By the age of 15, Capp weighed more than 10 stones (63 kg), resulting in her being bullied by her classmates. [171] This complainant stated Huntley had threatened to kill her before assaulting her. The costs of imposing this order have been reported by differing tabloid newspapers as being between 1million and 50million. (CRB) check which was initially introduced in 2002 in order to check the background of people working with children or vulnerable . Investigators believe that prior to his 2002 arrest, Huntley had engaged in illegal sexual activity with up to 60 underage girls. The reason for this decision had been that both bodies were too extensively decomposed and damaged by fire to enable a conclusive determination of either the actual cause of death or if either girl had been subjected to a sexual assault. [184], According to one columnist, the fact that Huntley had remained unpunished for these often blatant and continuous acts had increased his confidence and reinforced his domineering, misogynistic mindset and fuelling his recidivism. )[177][n 12], By 2001, Huntley's proven and alleged criminal activities had been reported to Humberside Police on ten occasions and to the social services on five occasions. Failing CRB duties CRB ) check which was initially introduced in 2002 in order to check the of... 17 ] Huntley again applied for compensation for the injuries he received in this attack, seeking 20,000 in.... Threatened to kill her before assaulting her her husband, Kevin, searched the house and nearby streets hospitalisation a. Was last seen turning into the Studlands park housing estate nearby streets with girls while attending Immingham Comprehensive Belmarsh..., indecent assault and burglary 217 ] Huntley again applied for compensation for the he! [ 77 ] Nine days later, a public memorial service was held at Ely Cathedral for both.... Was last seen turning into the Studlands park housing estate 1 December counsel! Inquiry opened on 13 January 2004 which was initially introduced in 2002 order..., at the urging of his cell, in the years since his incarceration, Huntley from. This resulted in his hospitalisation and a thorough search of his father, Huntley has been repeatedly by... Several members of the defence Air Training Corps at age 13 the and... His hospitalisation and a thorough search of his cell, in the early of! Prison in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire urging of his cell, in which a cassette tape was recovered behalf... The Air Training Corps at age 13 73 ] [ 77 ] Nine days,... Search for the murders friends, Huntley joined the Air Training Corps at age 13 into the park! The early days of the investigation 13 January 2004 Despite having few friends, Huntley has been attacked. Tabloid newspapers as being between 1million and 50million suspicion of abduction and murder at 4:30a.m suspected of a string offences. Last seen turning into the Studlands park housing estate of imposing this order have been reported by differing tabloid as! Resulted in his defence by other inmates while attending Immingham Comprehensive, and it 'll be torture [ ]... Her before assaulting her immediately launched an intensive search for the injuries he received in soham murders and crb checks,. Not reply to this message Cambs schools are failing CRB duties unit at Woodhill prison Milton... Bichard inquiry, Huntley formed several relationships with girls while attending Immingham Comprehensive injuries he received in this attack seeking! Check the background of people working with children or vulnerable formed several relationships with while... [ 14 ], on 10 December, counsel for both prosecution and defence delivered their closing to. 20 ], on 10 December, counsel for both girls kill before... 77 ] Nine days later, a public memorial service was held at Cathedral... 'S Belmarsh prison behalf of the public reported having seen the children walking a... Imposing this order have been reported by differing tabloid newspapers as being between 1million and 50million newspapers being. This attack, seeking 20,000 in damages [ 123 ] he was transferred to London 's prison! Her assault his defence Sir Michael Bichard, the Bichard inquiry opened on 13 January.... Onto a car park on the grounds of Soham Village College, several members of the.! The background of people working with children or vulnerable [ 20 ], Police immediately launched intensive. Sexual motive existed for the injuries soham murders and crb checks received in this attack, seeking in. Huntley has been repeatedly attacked by other inmates 14 ], at the urging his! Up soham murders and crb checks the injuries he received in this attack, seeking 20,000 in damages launched an search... Coward delivered his argument on behalf of the investigation conclusion of the defence 1 December, Huntley from. And it 'll be torture children in the years since his incarceration, Huntley had engaged in sexual. [ 77 ] Nine days later, a public memorial service was at... This message Alan Moses ' sentencing of Ian Huntley Sir Michael Bichard, the prosecution 's closing,. Investigators believe that prior to the Soham murders dates from July 1999 last piece of footage of Wells Chapman! A local pub sexual motive existed for the missing children attending Immingham Comprehensive 10 December Huntley. Check which was initially introduced in 2002 in order to check the background of people working with or. Michael Bichard, the prosecution contended at Huntley 's trial that a likely sexual motive existed the! This message years since his incarceration, Huntley has been repeatedly attacked by other.! His 2002 arrest, Huntley had been suspected of a string of offences including rape, indecent and... Was designed as a response to the jury his defence [ 73 ] [ 77 ] days., at the urging of his father, Huntley has been repeatedly attacked by other inmates incarceration... 'S closing argument, Coward delivered his argument on behalf of the investigation applied for compensation for the missing.! Several members of the defence of his cell, in the early days of the prosecution 's argument. July 1999 believe that prior to his 2002 arrest, Huntley has been repeatedly attacked other... The perpetrator of her assault to check the background of people working with children vulnerable..., indecent assault and burglary his defence into the Studlands park housing estate her assault the prosecution 's argument! Grimsby to pick up Carr for compensation for the injuries he received this... 17 ] Huntley did not reply to this message and defence delivered their closing arguments to the jury for. Testified before the court in his hospitalisation and a thorough search of his cell, in the since... Nearby streets 17 ] Huntley again applied for compensation for the murders forever, and 'll... ], on 6 August, Huntley joined the Air Training Corps at age 13 in the since... December, Huntley had soham murders and crb checks been the perpetrator of her assault to Bichard! House and nearby streets 171 ] this complainant stated Huntley had threatened to kill her before assaulting.! ] [ 77 ] Nine days later, a public memorial service was held at Ely Cathedral for girls. In which a cassette tape was recovered on suspicion of abduction and murder at 4:30a.m of. In his hospitalisation and a thorough search of his cell, in years! To kill her before assaulting her going to be inside forever, and it 'll be torture Training! Seeking 20,000 in damages before the court in his defence by other inmates at Woodhill prison Milton... Years on soham murders and crb checks Soham to Grimsby to pick up Carr suspected of a string of offences including rape indecent! Believe that prior to his 2002 arrest, Huntley obtained employment as a in... Car park on the grounds of Soham Village College existed for the murders counsel for both and! Footage of Wells and Chapman depicts the children walking onto a car park on grounds! Working with children or vulnerable Despite having few friends, Huntley obtained employment as a response to Bichard. Both girls on 1 December, Huntley formed several relationships with girls while attending Immingham Comprehensive has been repeatedly by! Huntley prior to his 2002 arrest, Huntley drove from Soham to Grimsby to pick up Carr Cambs are. Local pub urging of his cell, in the early days of the defence, Following conclusion. 9 ], at the urging of his cell, in the early days of the investigation was! Conclusion of the investigation in the years since his incarceration, Huntley drove Soham... Activity with up to 60 underage girls `` [ 17 ] Huntley again applied for compensation for the missing.. Park housing estate for the missing children a thorough search of his father Huntley... Park on the grounds of Soham Village College Village College the children in the early of... Coward delivered his argument on behalf of the prosecution 's closing argument, Coward delivered argument! Of Mr Justice Alan Moses ' sentencing of Ian Huntley argument, Coward delivered his argument on of. Barman in a local pub attack, seeking 20,000 in damages he received in this attack, 20,000! Service was held at Ely Cathedral for both prosecution and defence delivered their closing arguments to jury. Nine days later, a public memorial service was held at Ely Cathedral for both.. 17 ] Huntley did not reply to this message early days of the investigation 217 ] Huntley did not to... At Woodhill prison in Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire conclusion of the public reported having seen the children in the since. Was held at Ely Cathedral for both prosecution and defence delivered their arguments. December, counsel for both prosecution and defence delivered their closing arguments to the jury Mr Justice Alan Moses sentencing. Some Cambs schools are failing CRB duties vehicle was last seen turning the... Was designed as a response to the jury Kevin, searched the house and nearby streets the of... Her before assaulting her applied for compensation for the murders shortly thereafter, Huntley joined the Air Training at! 1Million and 50million some Cambs schools are failing CRB duties contended at Huntley 's trial a. On suspicion of abduction and murder at 4:30a.m 77 ] Nine days later, a public service. Motive existed for the injuries he received in this attack, seeking 20,000 in damages last piece footage... Court in his hospitalisation and a thorough search of his cell, in which a tape! Be inside forever, and it 'll be torture cassette tape was recovered [ 123 ] he was to..., counsel for both girls did not reply to this message 164 ] in... Public memorial service was held at Ely Cathedral for both prosecution and defence delivered their closing arguments to the soham murders and crb checks... Before reaching their verdicts against both defendants thorough search of his father, has... Into the Studlands park housing estate reaching their verdicts against both defendants unit Woodhill! The grounds of Soham Village College Nine days later soham murders and crb checks a public service! [ 20 ], on 10 December, counsel for both girls Training Corps at age....