I'm a retired cop (not Essex police thankfully), ex-High Court Judges Clerk and a well published true crime writer. I have a healthy interest in miscarriages of justice, police corruption and abuse of authority. Cops are only human beings, they do get it wrong, thankfully there tends to be more decent cops than bad ones. Historically, it is known they tend to mess things up badly in Essex...
I'm well down the road in researching and completing a new book (due out next year) on this case and have dropped in here a many times over a long time to read the posts. I've been in touch with all the main people involved - many have refused to talk to me - others have been more than helpful. So its interesting to read others take on the case.
Contractually, I cannot/ will not be be divulging anything about my research, but I will add to discussions and debates and ask many reasoned questions which I hope all parties will sensibly answer.
Hope this helps.