Cheshire chief speaks out over 'harmful' ITV documentary

The documentary “Hunting the Silver Killer” airs on ITV1 this evening at 8:00 PM. It re-examines two historic cases from Wilmslow, Cheshire and questions whether they could have been double murders that went undetected. Howard and Bea Ainsworth died in 1996 and Donald and Auriel Ward died in 1999. In both cases the deaths were found to be murder-suicides.

The investigation is led by leading forensic scientist Angela Gallop and pathologist Dick Shephard, who apply modern techniques to the old evidence. The documentary also features insights from former senior coroner’s officers who initially raised concerns about the cases.

However, Cheshire Police said the documentary is ‘based on spurious claims by a former member of police staff that called into question the findings of detectives’. In a statement the force said: “The claims were later completely disproved by experts, and the member of staff responsible was later found guilty of seven counts of gross misconduct. The panel ruled that she would have been dismissed had she not already resigned.

“She was also added to the College of Policing barred list meaning that she is prohibited from working in roles in policing.” The statement added that both the Ainsworth and Ward families were against the show.

Speaking in support of the families, Chief Constable Mark Roberts QPM, said: “From the outset we have been clear that there is absolutely no evidence that the Ainsworth and Ward cases were double murders, and that there is no serial killer at large in connection with these historic deaths.

“Following the spurious claims made by a former member of staff both cases were meticulously investigated by experienced detectives, along with specialist forensic scientists and officers from the National Crime Agency. All of whom concluded that there was absolutely no evidence to support further investigation into these matters.

“My heart goes out to both the Ainsworth and Ward families who have been deeply impacted by these harmful claims, and both have stated throughout that they were against any documentary and did not wish to have any involvement in the show.

“Yet despite this, both families feel that they have been harassed by the production company over the past two years, when it should instead have been focussed on conducting due diligence on the credibility of the sources they relied on.”

“I would like to take this as an opportunity to acknowledge the unnecessary pain and suffering endured by the Ainsworth and Ward families over recent years. The person who wrote the original report was not a doctor or a lawyer, and their actions have had a deep and long-lasting impact on both families, and I hope that they are able to start to move forward with their lives in peace.

“We are clear that all staff and officers have the right to raise concerns, however this must always be done through the correct channels. In this case, the member of staff did not follow these procedures and her actions resulted in significant unnecessary concern and distress for the families of all those involved.”

A spokesperson for ITV told Police Professional: “ITV acted with transparency and integrity in the making of this film, respected the family’s wishes not to take part and gave a right of reply to Cheshire Police, adhering to Ofcom’s Code of Conduct. The film is a fair and balanced look at the events surrounding these murders including the views of two of the country’s most eminent forensic scientists, following a great deal of public speculation.”