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Saturday, 6 October 2012

A WISH for April Jones



One of the reasons that the BBC series ‘Life on Mars’ was so popular, is that it so radically deviated away from the modern way of policing in the 21st century!

For those not familiar with the show, (and to be honest, I have watched very little of it, although I CAN see its appeal), it tells the story of a modern day Manchester cop being transported back to 1973, a time when corruption and police brutality were regular stock in trade methods of securing convictions.

Now, there ARE those that might assert that such outrageous and unacceptable methods are still pursued by various Constabularies around the Country, but in general, the Police and their Modus Operandi is strictly controlled by the Police & Criminal Evidence Act 1984, along with its innumerable updates, Statutes and other legislation that governs how they can and can’t behave whilst investigating crime.

Which, ostensibly, is a necessary and essential best practice for a humane, judicial and democratic society.

EXCEPT...................

I can’t help wishing that some of the crimes being investigated today aren’t being DONE so utilising some of those ‘rogueish’, barbaric methods of days gone by.

I am, essentially, a libertarian and I have frequently been quick to lambast what I perceive to be appalling policing, such as the death of Ian Tomlinson or the undisciplined lines of police cordons arbitrarily lashing out at protestors.

BUT, I am also prone to write, proffering PRAISE where I believe it to be due. And I DO believe it to be never more due than it is in Dyfed-Powys, in Wales.

For it is there that Police, together with TEN specialist teams and volunteers, have spent the past days searching high and low amongst the Welsh countryside in the most appalling of weather conditions and under the most severe PRESSURE, in an effort to find missing five-year old girl, April Jones.


As I write this, Mark Bridger, a local man known well to the family of the missing girl, has spent five days in custody, being questioned, before finally being charged with the little girl’s abduction and murder, in addition to attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Consequently, because of sub-judice issues, I obviously have to take some care with what I write.

However, I AM willing to ‘suggest’ a few observations and interpretations as to how I feel the case has, thus far, transpired:-


We already know that April was, allegedly, seen getting into a vehicle, belonging  to Bridger. We already know that the police apprehended him very quickly; the day after the girl was reported missing.

We can only make educated guesses as to what might have happened subsequent to that arrest and the charges being made five days later. 

Unquestionably, he would have had legal representation throughout the whole interrogation process, as is his right. ANY solicitor worth his salt would vehemently recommend that his client make ‘NO COMMENT’ responses to any question that might possibly incriminate him.

It is also NOT unreasonable to deduce that whatever answers or information Bridger DID give to the police during his questioning may have been subterfuge, fabrication or just downright lies, given that he is also being charged with attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Whatever he did or didn’t say, was obviously of very little help to the inquiry because the police have spent every waking hour since the girl was reported missing LOOKING for her, alongside very many volunteers who worked tirelessly helping with the search.

After four days into the search, the volunteers were stood down and the search was continued using only specialised teams and groups employing a variety of unique methods.

It is almost certainly one of these teams, probably specialist DOGS trained to detect cadaverine, that have led police to conclude that April is dead.

As I write this, the police and the specialist teams, mountain rescuers, cavers, divers and dog handlers are STILL continuing with their search, along with helicopters and patrol boats.

MANY of those searchers are doing so without pay, expenses or remuneration of any kind, especially the mount ain rescue teams.

Such an emotive and emotionally charged display of dedication and unending spirit, determined to bring some closure, solace and peace to a family and community whose heartache and pain does not bear thinking about.

For which I personally have the utmost and irrevocable admiration for each and every one involved.
And YET..........

Despite my obvious belief in, and support of, the necessary judicial process; I can’t help thinking, almost HOPING and wishing, that some ruthless, thuggish maverick COP......

... were to have TWISTED the suspects arm, firmly behind his back, slamming his head into the interrogation table in the process, forcing him to tell the truth.

Maybe that way, we would know. The whole truth. Without the multi-million pound exercise, the innumerable man-hours, searches, vehicles, dogs, helicopters, boats, mountain rescuers, divers, crews and volunteers.

In all probability it would NOT have saved the little girl. 


But it WOULD have saved her parents and family from such tortuous, sustained anguish, pain and indescribable heartache. 

And for THAT fact alone, I make no apology for wishing that police brutality were alive and well in the admirable and stoic hearts of the men and women of North-West Wales.


Goodnight, godbless, April,  wherever you may be.

12 comments:

  1. As these type of cases go, this is just as unique as the last ones, Tia Sharpe, Shannon Mathews. MARK BRIDGER obviously thinks he can walk on water. Something doesn't hang right.

    puddleduck

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  2. I don't think he did it.
    Patsy comes to mind.
    Don't know why.

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  3. Most people don't understand, remanded into custody doesn't mean sh*t, loads of people get out without charge and compensation for wrongful time spent in jail on remand.
    CPS is always picking at straws.
    theres also these statements which are rather telling if you can see through the red.

    Erica Martin His judge is the same guy who found George guilty of dando s death who was later acquitted
    Thursday at 16:32

    Judge Mr Justice Griffith-Williams said: “The Crown has notice of the likely defence in his account in interviews.”

    The judge said it was “impossible” to set a trial date because of the large number of uncertainties surrounding the case.

    Elwen Evans QC, prosecuting, said “forensic, scientific and other extensive investigations” were continuing “at pace”.

    The judge added: “And matters may develop.”

    LH Ld Elon

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  4. In other words, theres very little to go on, but he has given an account.

    They don not seem to have sufficient evidence, “forensic, scientific and other extensive investigations” were ''continuing'' not gathered, thats a whole different thing to say they have GOT evidence.

    and last but not least, because of the large number of uncertainties surrounding the case, so trial cant be set, does that sound like sound evidence to you, seems even the judge is worried at the case.

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  5. the likely defence
    oops forgot to mention, so he has a defence then, i.e what he said.

    ''''Sealed''''

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  6. Full charges read to Mark Bridger at Aberystwyth Magistrates Court: "First charge, on the 30th of September 2012, and 3rd October 2012, at Machynlleth, you murdered April Sue Lyn Jones, contrary to common law.

    "Second charge, on the first day of October 2012, at Machynlleth, without lawful authority, or reasonable excuse, took April Sue Lyn Jones, a child under the age of 16, so as to keep her out of the lawful control of a person entitled to lawful control of the said child.

    "Third charge, between 30th September 2012 and 3rd October 2012 at Machynlleth, with intent to pervert the course of justice, did an act mainly the unlawful disposal and concealment of the body of April Sue Lyn Jones, which had a tendency to pervert the course of public justice."
    by Paul Rowland 9:55 AM

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  7. First charge, on the 30th of September 2012, 'and' 3rd October 2012, at Machynlleth, you murdered April Sue Lyn Jones

    This is impossible, its one or thee other, and it cant be the 30th, as she went missing 1st octo.
    hmm?

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  8. AN 87yrs elderly neighbour of the missing five-year-old April Jones has been killed in a fatal car crash.

    The collision took place on Sunday night on the junction between the A470 and the A494, near Dolgellau.

    No-one else was injured in the two-vehicle crash which took place at around 8.30pm.North Wales Police have appealed for any witnesses to come forward.

    A spokesman went on to say that the victim was from Machynlleth and a neighbour of April, who went missing last Monday.


    “The deceased lived only a short distance away from April Jones in Machynlleth.

    This will therefore be of significant press interest,” he said. Any witnesses to the crash are being asked to contact 101


    white car on its roof on sky news in Powys market town of Machynlleth during filming

    ReplyDelete
  9. His name is Rev Morris Jones, and was killed by a lorry.
    87yrs old, hmm, driving all his life probably, what gave?
    Appealing for witnesses, hmm so nobody saw it, or just lorry driver?
    Btw, he'd just come from a home service it stated in news.
    Why know mention on news, from church leaders?
    Couple drowned few weeks before, 4 miles away. apparently looking for their 5 dogs, :|
    Whatever man, you think i buy this.
    Round em all up, send in the vat police.

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  10. 3rd October
    He was arrested on 2nd, huh! neither then, ouch!

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  11. "Second charge, on the first day of October 2012, at Machynlleth, without lawful authority, or reasonable excuse, took April Sue Lyn Jones, a child under the age of 16, so as to keep her out of the lawful control of a person entitled to lawful control of the said child.

    so this is thee only actual charge that makes any sense, if true, note the change is context, and thee assumed witness statement of 7yrs old single individual.
    Now we have old man 6 days later saying he saw something, grrr.

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  12. I think he was drunk and doesn't remember. Looks v hungover to me in the photo. Maybe he crashed the car.

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