Father is sceptical over death inquiry

23 July 2010

Lee Balkwell

AN EXASPERATED father has accused police of using "smoke and mirrors" to once again dodge calls for a complete reinvestigation into his son's death.

Angry Les Balkwell hit out after learning yet another partial probe is to be launched into how Lee, 33, became crushed in a cement lorry.

Essex Police announced a newly-formed specialist crime squad will focus on opportunities missed by its detectives throughout three separate investigations into the incident on July 18, 2002.

But the force stood firm on refusals to publish the potentially bombshell findings of a review of its handling of the case by West Midlands Police.

And it refused to say exactly what the Serious Crime Directorate - a joint Essex-Kent unit - would be probing, only that "at this stage it is not proposed that the work will constitute a full re-investigation".

Les, 63, said: "We believe this is spin by Essex Police - it's all smoke and mirrors.

"The simplest way to deal with this is start from the beginning with a full reinvestigation. But Essex are frightened about what it will expose.

"I'm sure there will be far more twists in this case soon. The evidence is now stacking up - the more we look, the more we find that this was not an accident and the investigations were botched beyond belief.

"There is some evidence which has come to light which we can't divulge yet because we don't want to jeopardise future criminal investigations."

Les, of Abbs Cross Lane, Hornchurch, added: "We've seen the findings of an Independent Police Complaints Commision investigation and it's so damning about the police. We believe the West Midlands team could only have come to the same conclusion. If Essex has nothing to hide, why won't they publish."

Essex Police issued a statement, on Friday, which read: "Temporary Detective Chief Superintendent Lee Catling of the Kent and Essex Joint Serious and Organised Crime Directorate will lead a joint Essex and Kent police team to complete and conclude the investigative work recommended by the review conducted by West Midlands Police.

"This investigation will be overseen by ACC Alan Pughsley, head of the joint Serious Crime Directorate. Essex Police continues to keep an open mind on the cause of Lee Balkwell's death.

"A number of complaints against Essex Police officers involved in the investigation into the death have been received and are being investigated by the IPCC."

It said the West Midlands report will not be published for the time being due to "legal and operational reasons".

An inquest found Elm Park dad-of-one Lee death died on a cement works in Baldwins Farm, Dennises Lane, Upminster, due to unlawful killing through gross negligence. A Health & Safety probe was launched but suspended pending the conclusion of the police investigation.