Enquiry’s top cop is suspended (From This Is Wiltshire)

The man who spearheaded the murder enquiry has been suspended by Wiltshire Police pending an investigation into his conduct.

Det Supt Steve Fulcher was referred to the Independent Police Complaints Commission following a hearing in February amid allegations of inappropriate contact with the media.

The IPCC will be investigating breaches of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act and allegations Det Supt Fulcher spoke about the case to some media outlets on separate occasions, contrary to force instructions.

His handling of the investigation has been brought into question following a judge’s ruling he broke the rules in his questioning of killer Chris Halliwell.

High Court judge Mrs Justice Cox earlier this year revealed how deliberate breaches of the law by police led to a second charge of murder relating to a Becky Godden-Edwards being withdrawn. Her remains were found near Eastleach in Gloucestershire, hours after police found Sian’s body.