Christopher Alder death: 'It is now almost 15 years of fighting for justice'

THE long-suffering sister of Christopher Alder is pleading for answers surrounding his death after waiting 15 years.

Christopher's body was discovered in Hull Royal Infirmary's mortuary in November last year, 11 years after his family believed they had laid him to rest following his death in police custody in 1998.

An exhumation of his grave in Hull's Northern Cemetery earlier this year confirmed Grace Kamara, 77, had been buried in his place.

A criminal investigation was launched shortly after the mistake came to light and it is still ongoing.

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After facing another Christmas without an explanation as to how the mistake could have happened, Christopher's sister Janet hopes the police inquiry will provide answers.

She said: "It is more than a year now since all this came out and I have now faced another Christmas without knowing anything.

"It is now almost 15 years of constant fighting for justice.

"I have little confidence in this latest investigation and it is like history repeating itself.

"It is disgusting, really. You cannot imagine the impact this is having on families.

"Let's hope next year we find some answers and ensure anyone responsible is held to account."

The police have been in Australia this month interviewing a key witness and should complete the investigation early in the new year.

Janet remains adamant the wrong charges are being investigated.

The police inquiry is determining whether there has been misconduct in public office.

She said: "I am so annoyed. If they think this is really serious then they should be looking at withholding a body and prevention of burial.

"They should have kept an open mind on what charges should be brought until after the investigation is completed.

"To prove misconduct in a public office, you have to prove someone knew what they were doing and that there was malice.

"It's baffling to me."

The two officers flew out to Australia after South Yorkshire Police successfully concluded months of negotiations with Australian federal police and the Australian High Commission.

The officers left on Monday, December 10.

Earlier, Detective Superintendent Richard Fewkes, who is leading the inquiry, said: "We welcome the fact we have now resolved what have been some complex issues in arranging this particular line of inquiry in Australia."

Janet said: "A lot of public money is being spent on this investigation and taking officers to Australia.

"Let's hope this can give us some answers to why Christopher's body lay in the mortuary all that time and Grace Kamara was buried in the wrong grave."

Christopher, a father of two, died face down in custody at Queens Gardens police station on April 1, 1998, with his hands cuffed behind his back.

A post-mortem failed to establish the cause of death.

After an inquest returned a verdict of unlawful killing, five police officers stood trial for manslaughter, along with misconduct charges.

However, the case collapsed and the officers were cleared.