The Chief Constable of the Cleveland Police has once again defended his force's investigation into the death of Kyle Fisher, according to the Peterlee Mail, in a story published to day by reporter Paul Watson.
A CHIEF constable today publicly defended officers involved in the Kyle Fisher murder inquiry," the story begins;
"After babysitter Suzanne Holdsworth walked free from court, an apology was sought from Cleveland Police," it continues.
"But the force's top cop, Sean Price, said there is no reason for him or the force to say sorry to anyone.
He said: "I firmly believe that when you make a mistake you should apologise.
"However, to issue an apology when officers have carried out their job diligently and professionally is inappropriate."
The 38-year-old babysitter was initially convicted of murdering Kyle by banging his head against a wooden banister at her home in Millpool Close, Hartlepool, in July 2004 and jailed for life.
That conviction was quashed by the Court of Appeal in May 2008 and a re-trial was ordered after complex medical evidence relating to Kyle's brain was uncovered.
The mother-of-two, now living in Seacroft, Leeds, walked free from court after being unanimoulsy cleared by a jury of eight men and four women just before Christmas.
Following the trial there was a flurry of media activity and Cleveland Police were criticised for their handling of the initial inquiry.
Suzanne Holdsworth and long-term partner Lee Spencer, 38, who fought to clear her name, were today set to appear on ITV's This Morning programme to speak about her ordeal.
Cleveland Police initially issued a short statement in the wake of the hearing – but today Chief Cons Price released a detailed statement defending his officers, speaking of their "diligence", the evidence produced and of any lessons that could be learned.
Mr Price explains how there was no suppression of any evidence, hiding of any medical records and how Suzanne Holdsworth contributed to her own downfall by lying to police during the investigation.
During the original trial it emerged that she had initially lied to police.
But Suzanne gave evidence during the second hearing and told a jury how she had tried to cover up for Kyle's then-teenage mother, Clare Fisher, to stop social services getting involved after Clare admitted leaving Kyle home alone just days before the tragedy.
The jury heard that, at the time the two women made up a "cover story", Kyle was unconscious and being treated in hospital.
Crucial to the initial conviction was bruising and marking to Kyle's head, which was said to match the distinctive pattern of the banister at Suzanne Holdsworth's home.
At re-trial it emerged that the markings on the youngster's skull did not match those of the gaps in the banister and medical experts revealed Kyle had a number of severe brain abnormalities.
Mr Spencer, 38, told the Mail before today's show: "It's hardly surprising there won't be an apology, we never expected to get one.
"But it's tragic and sad that this police stance means that Kyle's untimely death will never be investigated thoroughly and many many questions will never be answered."
Mr Spencer claims he made a written complaint to Cleveland Police in March 2005 regarding its handling of the case and the conduct of certain officers."
Harold Levy...hlevy15@gmail.com;
