Grieving family finally see police file on dead son, as commissioner Grove steps in
POLICE and crime commissioner Matthew Grove has provided funding to allow a family access to a police file on their dead son.
Mr Grove said he intervened after hearing of the family's "intolerable" experiences with the criminal justice system.
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'EXCEPTIONAL CIRCUMSTANCES': Humberside police and crime commissioner Matthew Grove. Picture: Jerome Ellerby
The family, who were still mourning their son's death as a passenger in a car crash, were initially asked to pay £1,600 to see the file.
Speaking at an East Riding Council scrutiny meeting, Mr Grove said: "I spent two hours with the family listening to their concerns about how they were treated by various parts of the criminal justice system following their son's tragic death.
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"It ranged from the trial judge getting their son's name wrong during his summing up to being told they would have to pay £1,600 to see the case file.
"I did not think that was acceptable in the circumstances so I ended up paying the fee myself because I believe that is what people voted me to do."
The dead man's parents first approached him before he was elected as the region's first police and crime commissioner last November.
Since being elected, Mr Grove has pledged to make supporting crime victims and their families one of his top priorities.
He said: "I think it is appalling the way most victims of crime and their families are treated.
"It's generally not a deliberate thing, it's just the way the system works because it is geared around the perpetrator.
"As a result, victims are just treated as an afterthought. The system often turns the unbearable into the intolerable.
"In this particular case, the perpetrator was convicted of careless driving and only said five words in court.
"He never said sorry and had the benefit of being represented by a barrister and a solicitor.
"What I am saying is, where is the fairness in that?"
Mr Grove said he took the decision to pay the charge for access to the case file on the family's behalf after weighting up the "exceptional circumstances" involved.
"I believed they justified my decision because the family were looking for answers and also looking to find some peace after all they had been through.
"It's not something I would do in every case but it is my role to challenge the police and hold them to account."
Mr Grove said the family, who have not been named, were now considering an offer to act as mentors on internal training programmes run by the police.
"They have yet to agree but I hope they will be able to help in some way," said Mr Grove.
"I want to be able to tell the next family – and there will inevitably be a next family – they will not be treated in the same cruel way and if this family can help me achieve that, it will be a change for the better.
"Victim support is not just about tea and sympathy, it's about practical support.
"I also think we tend to overlook the victims of commercial crime and that is something I am looking to change."
14 Comments
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by PurpleParrot
Friday, March 08 2013, 7:20PM
“How can it possibly cost SIXTEEN HUNDRED pounds just to produce a file?”
by Col18
Friday, March 08 2013, 7:06PM
“Does it matter if its from Groves pocket or the PCC's? It was paid, and one less British family is left wallowing in a mire of legalise trash that the British system is up to its neck in.
The entire system is one vast farce, and if ever a judge suggests of anyone before him that they have 'contempt of court', I'd hope the accused would answer, 'm'lord, contempt of court? contempt doesnt even come close to describing it'.”
by SuperRick
Friday, March 08 2013, 3:54PM
“archieboden
Out of his own pocket? Are you absolutely sure? Not from the PCC funds that he is entitled to spend as he wishes?”
by Donna_Kebab1
Friday, March 08 2013, 1:51PM
“The police file may well be an A4 box of information or several easily in the case of an accident it is normal for a road death to cost the tax payer £1 million the same as a fire death investigation.”
by PeterAnlaby
Friday, March 08 2013, 12:48PM
“Would it have been possible to get the information required under a "Freedom of Information" request - and was Matthew Grove asked to pay £1600, or was the charge reduced substantially when it became apparent that the bill was being met by the Police and Crime Commisioner”
by localad
Friday, March 08 2013, 12:22PM
“romonaflowers, the police have nothing to hide, the article says that the driver was convicted, so it apears to me they did thier job, what he was charged with would be down to the CPS, and the sentence down to the judge, so the police are clear in this matter it seems. All evidence read out in open court, the fact the driver said nothing in court is no ones fault.
However the cost of £1600 is ridiculous, how is that figure worked out??”
by YorkieTed
Friday, March 08 2013, 10:40AM
“Mr Grove said "I paid for it because thats what I believe thats what people voted me to do" No Mr Grove, people voted for you to sort out the mess of why an unfair charge was being charged in the first place.”
by Janet1234
Friday, March 08 2013, 10:38AM
“How completely disgusting this fee is in place. I imagine finances are all ready stretched when people go through these traumas. Difficulty in working due to grieving etc Yet I read today a prisoner who committed murder has absconded on a day trip .... How much did his day trip cost? Did he pay for it himself? ....... something seems slightly off balance in our society.
Someone suffers pain and we offer no help ... someone commits pain and we bend over backwards to give them a luxurious free existence.”
by archieboden
Friday, March 08 2013, 10:25AM
“Insurance companies have right of access to police accident reports on payment of standard fees. Insurance companies represent the driver and unfortunately a deceased passenger's relatives may have to take their own action.
No doubt there will be standard charges for copies of documents, photogaphs etc that appear
exhorbitant. Probably our no win no fee friends have always paid up in the past and banged it on their account. It is the system that's wrong. Is Mr Grove gaining political mileage out of paying £1600 out of his own pocket? It appears that way!”
by Rob_Nash
Friday, March 08 2013, 9:53AM
“Typical British justice system all in favour of the perpetrator.
Mr Groves should raise this with local MP's and get such ridiculous charges rescinded.
Can anyone in the police put forward a legitimate justification for this charge? How is it made up? What are the actual costs involved?
More journalism is required. Give us some facts.”