“Babes in the Wood” murder victims families fight on for justice (From The Argus)
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Brighton murder victims families fight on for justice
2:30pm Thursday 11th October 2012 in News By Ben Parsons
A tribute to Karen Hadaway and Nicola Fellows in Wild Park
The families of the “Babes in the Wood” murder victims are preparing for the possible release of the man acquitted of their killings.
Nicola Fellows and Karen Hadaway were found dead in Wild Park on October 10, 1986, after going missing the previous day.
Russell Bishop, a family friend, was charged but found not guilty of their murders.
He went on to be convicted of the abduction, molestation and attempted murder of a seven-year-old girl in Brighton and is currently serving a life sentence.
Ian Heffron, Nicola’s uncle, is urging Nicola and Karen’s friends and family to campaign against his possible release from prison.
He said: “I have been advised that Russell Bishop will have another hearing in August 2014. While I know this is some time away they are asking for me to get as many letters from family members on both Nicky and Karen’s side.
“They are to cover what area you live, what area he should be barred from, and any submission you wish to make.”
The families have campaigned for the reopening of their case but police have said there is not enough evidence to bring a new prosecution.
On last year’s 25th anniversary they spoke of their continuing pain at the loss of the girls.
This week they paid their familiar visit to the park to mark the 26th anniversary of the girls’ deaths.
They unfurled a banner which read: “Nicola + Karen 26 years on.
“Still here and still fighting for justice.”
Marking the 25th anniversary of their deaths last year, the girls’ families vowed to continue to fight for justice.
Karen’s mother Michelle Johnson said: “We are the ones who have been given the life sentence.
“We will never give up until our dying day.”
Barrie Fellows, Nicola’s father, said: “Their souls are trapped in this park and they won’t be able to rest until the person who killed them is dead or in prison. Until then, none of us can rest.”
Comments(6)
Charismatic Andrew
says...
3:07pm Thu 11 Oct 12
fredflintstone1
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3:42pm Thu 11 Oct 12
I also think it's incredibly insensitive of the Council to be planning to be put stock fencing around the area of the shrine that still exists in Wild Park to these two little girls, as part of their sheep grazing activities.
The park is for people, not sheep, and the Council should show respect.
markiemark1
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4:52pm Thu 11 Oct 12
pitb
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5:21pm Thu 11 Oct 12
markiemark1 wrote:I agree - plus of course the witnesses who either lied throughout the investigation, or later changed their evidence; thereby allowing, through their self-serving behaviour, the trial to collapse and the patently obvious, guilty party i.e. Bishop to walk free and then commit further atrocious crimes. Unfortunately the likelihood of anyone ever standing trial (or retrial) is virtually zero - I agree though that with the development of forensic science that this case should be looked at regularly and re-assessed
Yup, I'm sure DNA would have been possible - if the police hadn't completely cocked up the gathering of forensic evidence in the first place and then the BBC managed to lose the "Pinto" sweatshirt. Sadly I think the killer (or killers perhaps) will never be brought to justice - though we should definitely keep trying.
The Real Phil
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9:50pm Fri 12 Oct 12
pitb says...
2:46pm Thu 11 Oct 12