Bamber murder scene 'wrongly handled'

The farmhouse in Tolleshunt D'Arcy

The trial of a man convicted of killing five members of his family may have been unfair because the crime scene was not properly handled, the Court of Appeal has heard.

Lawyers for Jeremy Bamber said mistakes were made by detectives investigating the murders, at the family home in Tolleshunt D'Arcy, Essex, in August 1985.

Michael Turner QC, for Mr Bamber, said the errors had led the prosecution to make points at his trial which potentially were unfair and should not have been made.

Bamber, who was jailed in October 1986, is appealing against his convictions.

'Deceits'

Mr Turner said new evidence and information had helped to build a picture of the way the scene had been handled.

Jeremy Bamber during his trial in 1986

"In relation to the crime scene generally we have sought through these pieces of evidence and information... which the defence did not have at the time, to build up a picture that potentially this crime scene was not dealt with as it should have been."

Bamber claims that the case against him at his trial was built on a "series of deceits" by police and that certain evidence was withheld to bolster the prosecution case.

At the resumed hearing on Monday Lord Justice Kay, Mr Justice Wright and Mr Justice Henriques heard an allegation that police who went to the scene of the massacre may have interfered with the crime scene by using an office telephone.

Majority verdict

They have already heard claims that police could have turned over furniture and a bowl of sugar when they burst into the kitchen.

The court heard how his mother June, 61, and six-year-old nephews Nicholas and Daniel were shot dead in their beds.

His father Nevill, 61, was found downstairs, and his sister Sheila Caffell, a model nicknamed Bambi, was found by her parents' bed.

The hearing continues.