Disappearance of Charlene Downes: Difference between revisions
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Following her disappearance, Iyad Albattikhi was arrested for her murder and tried in 2007. In the case, the prosecution had alleged that the Albattikhi had slept with Downes, murdered her and joked that he had put her in the kebabs he sold from his shop.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1552482/Missing-girls-body-put-into-kebab.html |title=Missing girl's body 'put into kebab' |publisher=Telegraph|date=24 May 2007 |accessdate=1 August 2013}}</ref> However, a jury failed to reach a verdict in the original trial and a subsequent re-trial collapsed when it became clear that the [[Crown Prosecution Service]] considered the transcriptions of several [[covert surveillance]] tapes which formed the evidence behind the case unreliable.<ref name="BBC">{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-16325953 |title=Charlene Downes murder detective forced to resign |publisher=BBC |date=24 December 2011 |accessdate=1 August 2013}}</ref> Both Albattikhi and a fellow accused, Mohammed Raveshi, charged with helping Albattikhi to dispose of the body, were cleared following the trial's collapse.<ref name="BBC2008"/><ref name="Guardian"/> The CPS decided that it had insufficient evidence to secure a prosecution.<ref name="BBC2008"/> |
Following her disappearance, Iyad Albattikhi was arrested for her murder and tried in 2007. In the case, the prosecution had alleged that the Albattikhi had slept with Downes, murdered her and joked that he had put her in the kebabs he sold from his shop.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1552482/Missing-girls-body-put-into-kebab.html |title=Missing girl's body 'put into kebab' |publisher=Telegraph|date=24 May 2007 |accessdate=1 August 2013}}</ref> However, a jury failed to reach a verdict in the original trial and a subsequent re-trial collapsed when it became clear that the [[Crown Prosecution Service]] considered the transcriptions of several [[covert surveillance]] tapes which formed the evidence behind the case unreliable.<ref name="BBC">{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-16325953 |title=Charlene Downes murder detective forced to resign |publisher=BBC |date=24 December 2011 |accessdate=1 August 2013}}</ref> Both Albattikhi and a fellow accused, Mohammed Raveshi, charged with helping Albattikhi to dispose of the body, were cleared following the trial's collapse.<ref name="BBC2008"/><ref name="Guardian"/> The CPS decided that it had insufficient evidence to secure a prosecution.<ref name="BBC2008"/> |
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Detective Sergeant Jan Beasant, who was responsible for transcribing the tapes, was subsequently found guilty of misconduct by [[Lancashire Police]] following a critical report by the [[Independent Police Complaints Commission]]. The IPCC recommended Ms Beasant face a disciplinary hearing and that one officer should receive a written warning.<ref name="BBC"/> The [[Police Arbitration Tribunal]] overturned the the decision of Lancashire Police and recommended that Beasant be |
Detective Sergeant Jan Beasant, who was responsible for transcribing the tapes, was subsequently found guilty of misconduct by [[Lancashire Police]] following a critical report by the [[Independent Police Complaints Commission]]. The IPCC recommended Ms Beasant face a disciplinary hearing and that one officer should receive a written warning.<ref name="BBC"/> The [[Police Arbitration Tribunal]] overturned the the decision of Lancashire Police and recommended that Beasant be reinstated.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-20761824 |title=Charlene Downes murder detective 'should be reinstated' |publisher=BBC |accessdate=1 August 2013 |date=17 December 2012}}</ref> |
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==Subsequent developments== |
==Subsequent developments== |
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In 2012, a demonstration was held by the far-right [[British National Party]] aimed at securing what it considered "Justice for Charlene Downes" through a re-trial. It alleged that new evidence was available in the case and that the police and other parts of government lied to cover-up Downes' murder, on the grounds that it challenged ideas of [[multiculturalism]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bnp.org.uk/news/national/justice-charlene-downes-%E2%80%93-we-demand-re-trial |title=Justice for Charlene Downes – We DEMAND a re-trial. |date=20 May 2012 |publisher=BNP |accessdate=1 August 2013}}</ref> The ''[[Daily Telegraph|Telegraph]]'' reported that Mick Gradwell, a former detective superintendent with Lancashire Police, had told another newspaper that the investigation into sexual abuse in Blackpool was being "hampered by political correctness".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/8433887/60-girls-groomed-for-sex-at-takeaway-shops-in-Blackpool.html |title=60 girls groomed for sex at takeaway shops in Blackpool |date=7 April 2011 |accessdate=1 August 2013}}</ref> |
In 2012, a demonstration was held by the far-right [[British National Party]] aimed at securing what it considered "Justice for Charlene Downes" through a re-trial. It alleged that new evidence was available in the case and that the police and other parts of government lied to cover-up Downes' murder, on the grounds that it challenged ideas of [[multiculturalism]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bnp.org.uk/news/national/justice-charlene-downes-%E2%80%93-we-demand-re-trial |title=Justice for Charlene Downes – We DEMAND a re-trial. |date=20 May 2012 |publisher=BNP |accessdate=1 August 2013}}</ref> The ''[[Daily Telegraph|Telegraph]]'' reported that Mick Gradwell, a former detective superintendent with Lancashire Police, had told another newspaper that the investigation into sexual abuse in Blackpool was being "hampered by political correctness".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/8433887/60-girls-groomed-for-sex-at-takeaway-shops-in-Blackpool.html |title=60 girls groomed for sex at takeaway shops in Blackpool |date=7 April 2011 |accessdate=1 August 2013}}</ref> |
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The deletion of the original Wikipedia entry on Charlene Downes' disappearance, and whether this deletion was proof of bias in Wikipedia articles about the "racist murder of whites", became the subject of a national debate following a Daily Telegraph article, <ref>http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/seanthomas/100229154/the-murder-of-stephen-lawrence-and-the-strange-case-of-the-missing-wikipedia-entries/</ref> published in August 2013. Subsequent to this article, this entry was reinstated. |
The deletion of the original Wikipedia entry on Charlene Downes' disappearance, and whether this deletion was proof of bias in Wikipedia articles about the "racist murder of whites", became the subject of a national debate following a Daily Telegraph article, <ref>http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/seanthomas/100229154/the-murder-of-stephen-lawrence-and-the-strange-case-of-the-missing-wikipedia-entries/</ref> published in August 2013. Subsequent to this article, this Wikipedia entry was reinstated. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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{{reflist}} |
{{reflist}} |
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Revision as of 06:54, 1 August 2013
| Disappearance of Charlene Downes | |
|---|---|
| Name | Charlene Downes |
| Born | 25 March 1989 |
| Date of disappearance | 1 November 2003 |
| Place of disappearance | Blackpool, Lancashire, United Kingdom |
Charlene Downes, a teenager from Blackpool, United Kingdom, disappeared on 1 November 2003 at the age of 14.[1] Her current whereabouts are unknown. She is believed to have been murdered within hours of her disappearance.[2]
The police investigation involved the interviewing of 3,000 people and the revelation that girls such as Downes had been "swapping sex for food, cigarettes and affection".[2] The trial bought to light what the newspaper the Guardian described as "endemic child sexual abuse and prostitution in the seaside town".[2] It is believed that as many as 60 girls may have been targeted in the area.[3]
Murder case
Following her disappearance, Iyad Albattikhi was arrested for her murder and tried in 2007. In the case, the prosecution had alleged that the Albattikhi had slept with Downes, murdered her and joked that he had put her in the kebabs he sold from his shop.[4] However, a jury failed to reach a verdict in the original trial and a subsequent re-trial collapsed when it became clear that the Crown Prosecution Service considered the transcriptions of several covert surveillance tapes which formed the evidence behind the case unreliable.[5] Both Albattikhi and a fellow accused, Mohammed Raveshi, charged with helping Albattikhi to dispose of the body, were cleared following the trial's collapse.[1][2] The CPS decided that it had insufficient evidence to secure a prosecution.[1]
Detective Sergeant Jan Beasant, who was responsible for transcribing the tapes, was subsequently found guilty of misconduct by Lancashire Police following a critical report by the Independent Police Complaints Commission. The IPCC recommended Ms Beasant face a disciplinary hearing and that one officer should receive a written warning.[5] The Police Arbitration Tribunal overturned the the decision of Lancashire Police and recommended that Beasant be reinstated.[6]
Subsequent developments
In 2012, a demonstration was held by the far-right British National Party aimed at securing what it considered "Justice for Charlene Downes" through a re-trial. It alleged that new evidence was available in the case and that the police and other parts of government lied to cover-up Downes' murder, on the grounds that it challenged ideas of multiculturalism.[7] The Telegraph reported that Mick Gradwell, a former detective superintendent with Lancashire Police, had told another newspaper that the investigation into sexual abuse in Blackpool was being "hampered by political correctness".[8]
The deletion of the original Wikipedia entry on Charlene Downes' disappearance, and whether this deletion was proof of bias in Wikipedia articles about the "racist murder of whites", became the subject of a national debate following a Daily Telegraph article, [9] published in August 2013. Subsequent to this article, this Wikipedia entry was reinstated.
References
- ^ a b c "Man cleared over Charlene murder". 9 April 2008. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
- ^ a b c d "Beyond the pleasure beach". Guardian. 30 May 2008. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
- ^ "Independent Appeal: The project that could prevent another Charlene Downes from disappearing". 27 December 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
- ^ "Missing girl's body 'put into kebab'". Telegraph. 24 May 2007. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
- ^ a b "Charlene Downes murder detective forced to resign". BBC. 24 December 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
- ^ "Charlene Downes murder detective 'should be reinstated'". BBC. 17 December 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
- ^ "Justice for Charlene Downes – We DEMAND a re-trial". BNP. 20 May 2012. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
- ^ "60 girls groomed for sex at takeaway shops in Blackpool". 7 April 2011. Retrieved 1 August 2013.
- ^ http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/news/seanthomas/100229154/the-murder-of-stephen-lawrence-and-the-strange-case-of-the-missing-wikipedia-entries/