Trial and subsequent revelations Soham murders

huntley s trial opened @ old bailey in london on 5 november 2003 before mr justice moses. charged 2 counts of murder. families of wells , chapman present duration.

huntley admitted girls had died in house; claimed accidentally knocked wells bath while helping control nosebleed, , caused drown. chapman witnessed , claimed accidentally suffocated while attempting stifle screaming. time realised doing, late save either of them. based on version of events, admitted manslaughter.

the jury rejected claims girls had died accidentally and, on 17 december 2003, returned majority verdict of guilty on both counts of murder. huntley subsequently sentenced life imprisonment, minimum term decided lord chief justice @ later date.

after huntley convicted, revealed had been investigated in past sexual offences , burglary, had still been allowed work in school none of these investigations had resulted in conviction.

in august 1995, when huntley 21 years old, joint investigation launched police , social services in grimsby, after 15-year-old girl stated had been having sex huntley. police did not pursue case against huntley in accordance girl s wishes.

in march 1996, huntley charged in connection burglary @ grimsby house took place on 15 november 1995, when , accomplice allegedly stole electrical goods, jewellery , cash. case reached court , ordered lie on file. in march 1996, huntley once again investigated on allegations of having sex underage girl, again not charged. month later, huntley investigated once again on allegations of underage sex, allegation did not result in charge. same outcome occurred following month when investigated on allegations of having sex 13-year-old girl.

in april 1998, huntley arrested on suspicion of raping woman. admitted having sex woman claimed consensual. police decided not charge him. month later, huntley charged rape , remanded in custody after 18-year-old grimsby woman claimed have been raped him on way home nightclub in town. charge dropped week later after crown prosecution service examined cctv images nightclub , determined there no chance of conviction.

in july 1998, huntley investigated police on allegations indecently assaulted 11-year-old girl in september 1997. however, never charged, though in april 2007 confessed attacked girl. investigated on allegations of rape on 17-year-old girl in february 1999 no charges made against him.

the final allegation came in july 1999, when woman raped , huntley – suspected local police serial sex offender – interviewed. supplied dna sample , had alibi provided maxine carr assert innocence. woman subsequently said huntley not rapist. case victim had not identified or named huntley attacker.

home secretary david blunkett ordered inquiry these revelations, chaired sir michael bichard, , later ordered suspension of david westwood, chief of humberside police. inquiry criticised humberside police deleting information relating previous allegations against huntley , criticised cambridgeshire constabulary not following vetting guidelines. added complication in vetting procedures fact huntley had applied caretaker s job under name of ian nixon, although did state on application form once known ian huntley. believed humberside police either did not check under name huntley on police computer – if had have discovered burglary charge left on file – or did not check either name.