"IT IS UNDERSTOOD THERE ARE AROUND 25 SPECIFIC COMPLAINTS WHICH RELATE TO THE INITIAL MURDER INQUIRY.
THE IPCC PROBE WILL BE LED BY A TOP RETIRED POLICEMAN. AN IPCC SPOKESMAN SAID: "WE ARE MANAGING AN INVESTIGATION INTO COMPLAINTS ABOUT HOW CLEVELAND POLICE INVESTIGATED THE DEATH OF TWO-YEAR-OLD KYLE FISHER.""
REPORTER PAUL WATSON: THE HARTLEPOOL MAIL;
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The Hartlepool Mail reported earlier today that an independent probe has been launched into the police investigation that resulted in the wrongful conviction of Suzanne Holdsworth;
"POLICE watchdogs are to investigate the handling of the Kyle Fisher murder inquiry. The controversial case saw babysitter Suzanne Holdsworth wrongly jailed over the death of the two-year-old boy," the story by reporter Paul Watson begins;
"She spent three years in jail after being convicted of murdering the youngster in June 2004," the story continues;
"The Court of Appeal later quashed the conviction, and she was cleared at a re-trial last December.
The 38-year-old was jailed for life in April 2005 after being convicted of killing Kyle by banging his head against a wooden banister at her home in Millpool Close, Hartlepool, while his teenage mother, Clare Fisher, had a night out.
Suzanne's partner, Lee Spencer, spent years battling to clear her name after unearthing medical evidence that showed Kyle suffered from a combination of brain disorders.
The couple, who now live in Leeds, lodged a number of complaints about the police handling of the case.
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) today announced it will lead an investigation into Cleveland Police's handling of the original murder investigation.
Mr Spencer also lodged an official complaint about comments made by Cleveland Police Chief Constable Sean Price. But that is separate to the police handling of the initial murder investigation.
Mr Spencer told the Mail: "I'm confident this investigation into the way police investigated Kyle's death will provide answers to many questions.
"I hope the IPCC investigation will address our concerns. I believe there could finally be some closure in what has been a horrendous ordeal for Suzanne and the whole family."
It is understood there are around 25 specific complaints which relate to the initial murder inquiry.
The IPCC probe will be led by a top retired policeman. An IPCC spokesman said: "We are managing an investigation into complaints about how Cleveland Police investigated the death of two-year-old Kyle Fisher.
"A review of some aspects of policy and investigative direction of the original murder investigation will be carried out by an experienced retired officer who has not worked for Cleveland Police."
A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said: "As this is an ongoing investigation it would be inappropriate for us to comment at this stage."
A spokesman for Cleveland Police Authority said: "The IPCC is aware of the steps taken by the police authority to achieve a 'local resolution' to the element of Mr Spencer's complaint relating to a statement made by the Chief Constable following the acquittal of Suzanne Holdsworth.
"It has been agreed by the police authority and Mr Spencer there will be no comment on this matter until the outcome of the IPCC's investigation into the other elements of Mr Spencer's complaints relating to the investigation into the death of Kyle Fisher.""
Harold Levy...hlevy15@gmail.com;
