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COMMENDATION: Det Con Emma Spooner and Det Sgt Tim Corner were presented with their awards by Chief Constable Brian Moore

TWO Swindon police officers who helped prove a baby girl was starved to death by her parents have been honoured for their work.

They were among a group of police officers who received awards on Tuesday evening for going beyond the call of duty.

Det Sgt Tim Corner and Det Con Emma Spooner were rewarded by Chief Constable Brian Moore for their work proving that 11-month-old baby Kimberley Baker was starved to death by her parents.

Neil and Alison Baker, of Hunsdon Close, Walcot, were jailed for five years each.

The officers were given certificates of commendation by Wiltshire Police chief constable Brian Moore on Tuesday evening.

Presenting the awards at a ceremony in Devizes, Insp Jeremy Carter, said: "Investigating infant deaths is a very sad task that sometimes falls to police officers.

"Tim Corner and Emma Spooner conducted intensive complex and sensitive enquiries.

When the post mortem concluded she had died from starvation they took decisive action to ensure the welfare of three other children living at the address."

Det Sgt Tim Corner said: "You have your suspicions, but until you rule out there being some other, medical reason you can't do much about it.

"Then you have to start probing the parents and interviewing them.

"At their home the downstairs looked perfectly normal, but when you went upstairs it was in the worst state I have ever seen."

Detectives who solved a double murder case were praised by the Deputy High Sheriff of Wiltshire for their hard work.

Five officers received Judges Crown Court Commendations for helping convince a jury that Philip Middleton murdered his parents, Theodore, 74, and Iris, 65, at their home in Wootton Bassett, in July 2006.

Det Supt Steve Fulcher and his team, Det Insp Craig Holden, Det Con Caroline Vost, PC Hewlen Barnes and PC Aileen Dolder picked up their awards from Deputy High Sheriff Robert Floyd.

Mr Floyd said: "People all over Wiltshire sleep better in their beds every night as a result of the very hard work you do.

"It is very much appreciated."

Insp Jeremy Carter said: "The jury had to decide if this was a terrible double murder or if the knowledge of Philip Middleton's state of mind reduced it to manslaughter.

He was found guilty of murder.

"The judge commended these officers for their hard work on this case."

8:51am Thursday 3rd July 2008

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