Blunders left rapist free to kill younger woman – this should not occur once more
Leah Croucher would be in her early 20s tomorrow. But she was murdered and her body cut up by a child rapist in 2019 who was not properly monitored.
It shocks us to the core when a hideous crime happens that could have been prevented. And her case must spur Prisons and Probation minister Lord Timpson into action.
Leah’s killer, Neil Maxwell, had a long record of serious sex offences against women and children and yet on release was not classified as high risk.
His probation handler was inexperienced, and vital information on Maxwell was not shared on the national sex crime database.
Police failed to hunt Maxwell down when he was wanted for another crime, and were not handed clues which could have led them to Leah’s body. Her remains were only discovered four years after her death, and during that time her brother killed himself.
The coroner at Leah’s inquest rightly blasted the litany of failure and missed opportunities which culminated in her murder. But this is not an isolated case. Too many sexual predators have been free to strike again.
If more probation officers are required they must be found. If their skills are inadequate they must be better trained. The first duty of those involved in law enforcement and offender monitoring is to protect the public. They failed Leah.
They must not be allowed to fail again.
All welcome
The riots which blighted Britain were an uncomfortable reminder of childhood for Loose Women star Charlene White.
The daughter of Jamaican parents heard the same hate-filled racist language from the now defunct National Front while growing up in south-east London
Charlene has written her first book and it could not be more timely. Her message is that everyone legitimately living in Britain has the right to call this country home.
Our nation has been a melting pot throughout history from Celts, Romans, Saxons, Vikings and Normans to migrants from our former empire. Multiculturalism is literally in our DNA.
We welcomed 28,000 Syrians and 180,000 Ukrainians fleeing war, and 150,000 Hong Kongers escaping China’s yoke. They have blended into the nation’s fabric.
Not everyone who comes here will stay. But those who stay should feel at home.
A stuck record
There’s no kind of hush in the ancient feud between Tom Jones and Engelbert Humperdinck. Even though they are well into their 80s.
But we’re sure fans would be delighted if they could bury the hatchet before taking the last waltz into retirement.
