Senior police officers are facing severe criticism, with accusations of having ‘blood on their hands,’ following the conviction of serial rapist Iain Packer, almost two decades after the murder of sex worker Emma Caldwell.
Packer was sentenced to a minimum of 36 years for strangling Caldwell in 2005 and leaving her naked body in woodland, 40 miles away from her Glasgow home.
The jury found him guilty of 32 charges, including 11 rapes and multiple counts of sexual violence against 22 women.
Strong Condemnation and Accusations
Judge Lord Becket characterized Packer’s actions as an ‘extreme campaign of sexual violence,’ emphasizing the terrifying circumstances of Caldwell’s murder.
Margaret Caldwell, the victim’s 76-year-old mother, accused police chiefs of ‘betraying’ her daughter and demanded accountability for the ‘misogyny, corruption, and arrogance’ in handling the case.
Police Scotland issued a public apology acknowledging their failure in protecting victims.
Legal Fallout and Apology
Mrs. Caldwell’s lawyer, Aamer Anwar, asserted that the police failed many women who came forward, leading to a £4 million botched prosecution of four innocent Turkish men instead of bringing Packer to justice earlier.
Anwar criticized the police for humiliating and dismissing victims, allowing an ‘evil predator’ to continue his crimes.
A grovelling apology from Police Scotland was issued in the aftermath of the verdict.
Emotional Response and Promises
Mrs. Caldwell, now a 76-year-old widow, wept upon Packer’s conviction, expressing relief. Her husband, William, did not live to see justice served as he passed away in 2011.
Mrs. Caldwell, however, had promised him on his deathbed that she would persist in seeking justice.
She accused the police of a ‘shameful betrayal’ of the women attacked by Packer, suggesting that officers involved in the initial investigation might face criminal prosecution.
Packer’s Modus Operandi and History
Packer, a serial rapist with a history of violence against women, had been interviewed six times in connection with Caldwell’s murder.
He was not brought to justice until nearly 19 years after the crime, during which the police pursued a flawed prosecution of innocent men. Many of Packer’s victims were vulnerable sex workers, and some have since died.
The lawyer representing Caldwell’s mother stated that officers involved in the original investigation were ‘suspected of criminality’ and should be held accountable.
Culture of Misogyny and Corruption
Anwar highlighted a toxic culture within the police, describing it as characterized by misogyny, corruption, and arrogance. He claimed that this culture allowed a serial rapist to prey on vulnerable women.
Margaret Caldwell believes that these officers have ‘blood on their hands’ and must face consequences for their alleged betrayal.
Caldwell’s Tragic Background
Emma Caldwell, who turned to sex work to cope with a drug addiction following the death of her older sister, had been a target of Packer’s violent tendencies.
Several women had raised concerns about Packer, describing him as aggressive.
Packer, who began using prostitutes at the age of 18, developed an infatuation with Caldwell and would go to great lengths to locate her, scaring off other potential clients.
Legal Blunders and Reinvestigation
Despite being interviewed multiple times, Packer remained at large. Instead, the police focused on a flawed prosecution of innocent men, diverting attention away from the real perpetrator.
It wasn’t until a reinvestigation was launched in June 2015, following media attention, that Packer was charged seven years later.
Timeline of Caldwell’s Case
The timeline of events leading to Packer’s conviction spans nearly two decades, revealing a series of investigative missteps, legal blunders, and the eventual uncovering of crucial evidence, including soil samples and DNA matches.
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