Judge raps jail bosses for delay in murder case

Mar 20 2008 by Paul James, The Journal

THE most senior judge in the North East yesterday accused prison bosses of prolonging the grief of a family trying to come to terms with one of the most shocking murder cases the region has known.

Judge David Hodson, the Recorder of Newcastle, said staff at Durham’s high-security Frankland jail were responsible for holding up the case of Neil Crampton, who is accused of killing four members of his family in Kenton, Newcastle, 15 months ago.

The 34-year-old taxi driver is charged with killing his former partner Liz Sobo, 36, their daughter Abigail, 12, son Steven, five, and Liz’s brother Yemi, 41, who were all found stabbed to death at their home in Hawthorn Gardens, Kenton, Newcastle, in November 2006.

Newcastle Crown Court heard yesterday how two separate medical reports have been requested on Crampton.

One doctor has been able to file a report, despite some difficulties with Frankland, but the second doctor has been unable to meet with Crampton, formerly of Huntley Crescent, Winlaton, Gateshead, despite a personal request from the judge for prison bosses to accommodate the appointment.

Judge Hodson said he was yet to receive a reply to his letter from January 31, despite stressing the “urgency” of the case to prison bosses and telling them he wanted the case resolved by Easter.

He told the court: “When the difficulties that were being experienced by Dr Barlow were brought to the attention of the court, I indicated I would write to the governor of Her Majesty’s Prison Frankland expressing concern and hoping that any difficulties that there had been could be alleviated so that this case could be dealt with before Easter. It seems to me the relatives of the deceased in this most tragic of cases are entitled to some explanation as to what has been going on, or more importantly what has not been going on.

“Anyone reading the letter I wrote on January 31 would have appreciated the urgency of the position.

“I didn’t receive a reply from the governor of Her Majesty’s Prison Frankland and I still have not received a reply to that letter from the governor of Her Majesty’s Prison Frankland.”

Earlier, defence barrister Jamie Hill told the court that one psychiatric report had been completed, albeit with some difficulty organising visits with Frankland, but that appointments for a second report had been cancelled because of problems at the prison.

Three weeks ago, the appointed doctor had been unable to meet Crampton because another meeting had been arranged between the defendant and his solicitors.

Mr Hill said the doctor had then rearranged to see Crampton last week at a healthcare centre at the prison, but when he arrived was told the meeting could only take place at a special visitors’ unit, which was all fully booked that day.

Judge Hodson said he felt it was a “discourtesy” that he had not received a reply from the governor, but did receive a letter from the healthcare administration manager of the prison, on February 25. A fresh appointment for a psychiatric report has been arranged for March 27, and Crampton is now due back before the court on April 11.

Judge Hodson added: “Now isn’t the time to constitute an inquiry into what has happened.

“I just want everybody to be aware, not least the family of Mr Crampton, that many many steps have been taken by this court and by the solicitors for the defendant himself, to make sure that his case could have been resolved before Easter.

“Suffice to say that no one in a position of responsibility seems to have accepted the urgency of the position.”

He said the explanation of events would “not provide very much solace” to the victims’ family, but said: “I at least want the family to know people have been trying to do things.”

A spokeswoman for the Ministry of Justice said: “There are strict security procedures at Frankland for all those entering the prison.

“These apply equally to the psychiatrist who needs access to the prisoner for the purposes of a court order assessment.

“It wasn’t possible to find a mutually acceptable time and venue for this assessment, although the prison service is currently working hard to restore the situation.”

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Relatives 'coming off second best'

A SUPPORT group last night said it was another example of victims coming second.

Neil Atkinson, spokesman for the North of England Victims Association, said: "We can quote you many instances of the system working against the best interests of victims’ families.

"If it was an issue concerning the welfare of a prisoner, then letters would be probably answered immediately.

"Once again, it appears that the innocent relatives of the victims are coming off second best. It’s terrible if a judge has written to a prison governor and has been ignored. He should be called upon to explain himself."