'Outstanding' police officers commended by murder trial judge

A team of dedicated police officers have been praised by a murder trial judge for their 'outstanding' work on the case.

Her Honour Judge Adrienne Lucking QC put on the record her thanks to the team that brought Mike Reader and Stephen Welch to justice, resulting in life sentences for the pair at Northampton Crown Court today.Detective Chief Inspector Joe Banfield, Detective Sergeant Spencer Bailey, Detective Constable Karen Kennedy, Detective Constable Stuart Jones and analyst Karen Eaton were given individual praise for their diligent work on the case.

Judge Lucking said the team had reflected the outstanding level of investigation demonstrated by senior investigating officer DCI Banfield. She said: "He gave clear support to his team throughout and the whole of the team reflects his own high personal standards."

She said that family liaison officer DC Karen Kennedy had provided a high level of support to the family which 'could not have been easy'.

And Judge Lucking singled out for particular praise analyst Karen Eaton, whose preparation of mobile phone GPS data broke 'new ground' during the trial.

She said: "I am commending each of these officers to the Chief Constable of Northamptonshire and the head of East Midlands Major Crime Unit for their high standards of work."

She also praised counsel in the case, in particular Mary Loram QC who prosecuted the pair.