Community relieved that justice has been done

THERE were mixed feelings of anger and relief in the town of Soham following the convictions of Ian Huntley and Maxine Carr.

The vicar of Soham said “justice had been done” as the jury in the Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman murder trial returned guilty verdicts against Huntley and Carr.

The Rev Tim Alban Jones of St Andrew’s Church said the community would not forget 10-year-old schoolgirls Holly and Jessica, but “had no wish to remember” Huntley and Carr. “The names of Holly and Jessica will long be remembered in our town of Soham as will the date of August 4, 2002, but we have no wish to remember those connected with their brutal murders.

“Justice has been done and been seen to be done and we are glad that the legal process has concluded.” Keith Walters, leader of Cambridgeshire County Council, said the double murder should never be

“allowed to happen again”. Mr Walters said he felt Soham Village College had been let down by the system of checking potential employees. He said serious questions needed to be asked about the whole system of checking staff before they are employed.

Rod Fox, chairman of governors at St Andrew’s School, said: “I am pleased to see justice has been done, but I don’t think this will be a day for celebrating in Soham. This is a sad day and a time for reflection.

“Obviously questions will now be asked about why Huntley was working here and hopefully answers will be given,” said Mr Fox.

Heather Brasher, 57, who runs a gift shop in Soham, said: “I have just heard about Maxine Carr's sentence and the fact that she could be out so soon. I think that’s disgusting. People will be amazed, I think.

“And I have just heard about his background and the number of times he has been investigated. How could that happen? We trust people in authority not to let these things happen.”

Angie Lister, a shop assistant in Soham who is in her 50s, said: “I am so emotional at the moment because I know Holly's family well and I knew Holly.

“I am quite amazed to hear that she (Carr) could be out soon. I think she should have got 20 years.

“She will never be able to come back to Soham. She will have to live with this for the rest of her life.

“And I don’t think he should be hung. Hanging is too good for him. What they should do is let him loose in Soham. That’s what he deserves.”