Child porn charge police involved in Soham girls’ case remanded in custody

TWO police officers involved in the investigation into the disappearance and murder of Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells are expected to appear in court tomorrow to learn whether they can be granted bail on child pornography charges.

Mon, 16 Sep, 2002 - 01:00

Tania Cocksedge

Det Con Brian Stevens, 41, and PC Antony Goodridge, 34, were remanded in custody over the weekend after the prosecution lodged an appeal against a decision by magistrates on Saturday to grant them unconditional bail. The two men were brought to the magistrates court in Bury St

Edmunds, Suffolk, in handcuffs and with blankets over their heads.

Stevens, who is married with two children, faces three charges alleging the possession, making and incitement to distribute indecent pseudo-photographs of children.

Goodridge, also a father-of-two, faces four similar charges. Both officers were arrested early on Thursday by detectives from West Midlands Police. The investigation into their alleged offences is part of a worldwide inquiry being led by the FBI in the United States. The British National Crime Squad has been co-ordinating the operation in Britain.

Both officers have been suspended from duty. Stevens worked as a family liaison officer with the family of Jessica Chapman after Jessica and her friend Holly Wells, both 10, vanished from their home town of Soham, Cambridgeshire, on August 4.

Two weeks ago, he played a central part in a memorial service for the two dead girls at Ely Cathedral, reading a poem called Lord of Comfort, which had been written for Jessica by a friend of the Chapman family.

Police have stressed that the allegations are in no way linked to the murder investigation.

Magistrates granted the two men conditional bail, but the prosecutor, Peter Gair, immediately lodged an appeal against their decision. Both accused were then remanded in custody pending an appeal hearing against the decision of the magistrates. It is expected to be heard tomorrow in either Ipswich or Bury St Edmunds Crown Court.