Massacre inquiry police to be sued

David Morris, 40, was jailed for the killings

South Wales Police are to face legal action over their inquiry into the murders of four members of the same family.

David Morris, 40, was given four life sentences on Friday for the "horrific and savage" murders of Mandy Power, 34, her disabled 80-year-old mother and her daughters Katie, 10, and Emily, eight.

The jury at Swansea Crown Court heard that he beat them with an iron bar before setting their house ablaze, after divorcee Mrs Power refused his sexual advances following a casual relationship.

Alison Lewis is suing police over her arrest

It took South Wales Police almost two years to arrest Morris, of Craig-cefn-parc in the Swansea Valley, for the 1999 murder.

About a year after the murders, Mrs Power's secret lesbian lover Alison Lewis was arrested on suspicion of the murders.

She was held along with her then husband, police sergeant Stephen Lewis, and his brother Inspector Stuart Lewis, who was held on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.

All three were later released without charge. The two brothers remain suspended on full pay.

The force confirmed it had received notification that Mrs Lewis intended to claim damages. Senior officers said the two men had also begun legal proceedings.

'Orgy of savagery'

The jury heard how the 27 June 1999 massacre at Kelvin Road, Clydach, south Wales, began when Mrs Power rejected Morris's advances for sex.

I have got no problem with the time it took and I feel that we can stand the scrutiny of anyone

Detective Chief Inspector Wynne Phillips

They heard that Mrs Power had begun a lesbian affair with Mrs Lewis and did not want to sleep with him again.

Morris flew into a rage and embarked on what the jury heard described as an "orgy of savagery".

Patrick Harrington QC, prosecuting, said Mrs Power alone had been beaten 38 times with the murder weapon.

Sympathy

Morris was caught after a bloodstained gold necklace, ripped from his neck during the murders, was found in the house by forensic scientists.

Morris beat the four to death, then set fire to the house

Morris' family suggested they may appeal, with supporters outside the court suggesting the wrong person had been convicted.

Mrs Lewis said she was satisfied justice had been done, but complained about her treatment.

But Detective Chief Inspector Wynne Phillips insisted that detectives had a duty to follow up every lead.

He said: "The ethical standards of this inquiry over the whole three years have been of the highest level.

"I have got no problem with the time it took and I feel that we can stand the scrutiny of anyone.

Morris: Flew into a rage when his sexual advances were rejected

"We do not work from gut feeling and innuendo and whatever people think, we have to work from evidence and facts and if that takes three years it is better doing it that way."

In all, Mrs Lewis was subjected to 23 police interviews by detectives.

She said: "South Wales Police wrongly branded me a murderer, a murderer of the four people I loved.

"I feel I still need answers, and the only way for me to get those answers from South Wales Police is to sue them, because what happened on that day... has effectively ruined my life."

A special programme on the Clydach murders has been broadcast on BBC One Wales.

Click here to watch the programme on demand.