Officer fined for misconduct

Justin Chant died in 2001

An Essex police officer has been fined for his conduct during a murder investigation.

The complaint was made by the father of Justin Chant - the 24-year-old murdered in Thorpe Le Soken, near Clacton, in November 2000.

An internal inquiry by Essex Police found that the officer breached its regulations with regard to politeness and tolerance.

Police would not publicly name the officer involved.

Justin Chant died of starvation when a flatmate barricaded him in a cupboard at the home they shared.

Steven Sullivan, 40, was given a life sentence for Mr Chant's murder and an additional 18-year sentence for false imprisonment in December 2002.

Mr Chant's parents have been denied compensation for victims of crime because their son had previous convictions.