Bailed murder charge officer shoots himself
A senior police officer on bail for allegedly murdering his wife went on to shoot dead his mother-in-law before turning the gun on himself because he feared she would send his children to New Zealand, it has been claimed.
A senior police officer on bail for allegedly murdering his wife went on to shoot dead his mother-in-law before turning the gun on himself because he feared she would send his children to New Zealand, it has been claimed.
The Attorney General has launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding a judge`s decision to give bail to 47-year-old Police Inspector Garry Weddell, accused of murdering his wife.
Following a written request from Hemel Hempstead Conservative MP Mike Penning, an inquiry is under way into the decision to give the officer bail, said the Office of the Attorney General.
The Metropolitan Police inspector, who had 25 years service in the police, was released from custody before standing trial accused of strangling his wife Sandra Weddell and faking her suicide.
He is thought to have shot himself in a field near a shooting club after killing his mother-in-law Traute Maxfield, who was due to give evidence against him.
It emerged after Saturdays double tragedy that he was terrified he would never see his children Kate, 13, Tom, 11, and Lucy, eight, again.
The children were staying with her brother, Paul Khan, and his family but Mrs Maxfield, 70, had recently returned from seeing Sandras twin sister who lives in New Zealand.
Mr Weddell was allowed one hour-long supervised visit with his children every week.
Judge John Bevan, who granted bail in the case, said on Monday he could not remember the circumstances of the application.
Speaking to the Evening Standard in London, he said: I hope there will be transcripts of the two bail applications. These would explain things. I can`t remember the precise details so it would be wholly inappropriate to comment at this time. I don`t know what may happen in the future.
Judge Bevan, despite opposition from the Crown Prosecution Service, granted bail in September on condition that Mr Weddell did not enter Bedfordshire and that his access to the children should be limited and supervised.
Mr Weddells defence team would have argued he held a responsible position, was of good character and, as a police officer, would have been in danger in prison.,
It appears Judge Bevan was swayed by his previous good character, his job, and a psychiatric report that suggested he would not have been a danger. The judge granted bail with strict conditions and after receiving a £200,000 surety from Mr Weddells brother, Geoffrey Weddell, a barrister.