North Wales Police investigated over Janet Commins murder and rape case in 1976
The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is investigating North Wales Police over its handling of a 1976 murder and rape case.
Janet Commins was killed in North Wales on January 7, 1976
Schoolgirl Janet Commins, 15, was killed in Flint, North Wales, on January 7, 1976.
In June that year, a man was jailed for 12 years for her manslaughter, but in September last year, Stephen Anthony Hough was charged with her murder and rape.
“This will be a complex investigation, not least because of the passage of time, but it is important for all concerned that we independently investigate the case.”
The police watchdog said the North Wales force had voluntarily referred the matter after further information came to light, prompting a review of the circumstances surrounding the initial investigation.
The IPCC is investigating whether North Wales Police officers in the initial 1976 investigation acted in accordance with the rules in place at the time relating to their detention and interviewing of suspects, as well as how the force handled new information that came to light in 2006.
The 15-year-old girl was found at a playing field in Flint over 40 years ago
A spokesman for the watchdog said investigators had gathered relevant documentation from the force and met with Janet's family to explain their role.
North Wales police force had voluntarily referred the matter after further details were recognised
IPCC commissioner for Wales Jan Williams said: “This will be a complex investigation, not least because of the passage of time, but it is important for all concerned that we independently investigate the case.”
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A provisional trial date for Hough, 57, has been set for February.
The IPCC is investigating into North Wales Police officer's initial actions