7th Aug @ Bourtree. Police officers present: DS Jones and DC Clark.
JB was giving his statement, taken by DC Clark, in the presence of AE. AE was questioning, to herself, everything said by JB. When the opportunity presented she would tell the officers as much.
She did not think SC would be able to use a firearm.
She phoned AP.
The subject of sights and silencer were raised.
When she arrived home that evening she had a long discussion with her father and they were not satisfied with what JB was telling the police.
8th Aug @ Oak Farm
Circa 11am AP arrived. AP immediately asked AE questions about the guns, particularly the guns, sights/silencer. AP saying they were affixed last time he was @ WHF (last w.e Jul). AP also said would fit into gun cupboard. AP so perturbed he phoned Witham and spoke with DCI Jones.
AP and AE then went to Bourtree
At the end of the day, back at Oak Farm, AE, AP, DB and PE discussed their suspicions and decided they would go to Witham in the morning to advise the police accordingly.
9th Aug @ Witham Police Station
Relatives visit Witham and meet with DCI Jones and DS Jones. Much of the discussion centres around their disbelief that SC was capable of using the rifle and loading the magazine. Once again the subject of the sights and silencer surface on the basis JB apparently told the police on the morning of 7th Aug that the rifle would not fit in the cupboard with the silencer/sights on (he actually said case and this was demonstrated to be correct at trial). AP again pointing out he observed rifle at WHF in cupboard with sights/silencer on.
9th Aug @ Bourtree (Although statement is dated 8th Aug and taken by DC Clark)
DCI Jones and DS Jones arrange for JB to make a further stat about the silencer/sights, whether SC observed him loading mag etc. DCI Jones was satisfied the case was murder/suicide but DS Jones disagreed.
Later that day DCI Jones and DS Jones meet the Eatons at WHF to hand the keys over. They all have a tour of the inside and the detectives ask the Eatons to point out anything that looks out of place. Having handed the keys over and advised about the newly installed alarm they all leave.
DS Jones went off offical duty at 11.15pm
I believe at some stage he re-entered and contaminated the OUTSIDE of the silencer with the blood, paint and hair on the basis he was adamant JB was responsible.
- He did not believe SC was responsible on the basis of how clean she appeared and her nails in tact
- He took on all the feedback from the relatives
- He was very aware of the silencer from the very earliest of stages
- He knew the firearms etc were kept in the cupboard under the stairs
- He had access to the soc images to check what area could be scratched
- He knew very small bloodstains were incapable of being grouped and could only conclude blood and human in origin which would implicate Bamber
- Had access to NB's hair
- Was an experienced officer, circa 25 years, and would be aware that he needed something to connect Bamber to soc.
- The relatives found NB's wallet empty which he may well have helped himself to when fabricating the OUTSIDE of the silencer.