Latest news with #RoyWhiting
BBC News
2 days ago
- BBC News
Police reflect on Sarah Payne's murder 25 years on
Sarah Payne was just eight years old when she was abducted while playing near her grandparents home on 1July body was found 17 days later, several miles away in a field, just off the A29 near Pulborough in West Sussex. Roy Whiting was jailed for life in December 2001 for her murder. On the 25th anniversary of her disappearance, Martyn Underhill, the Met Office deputy senior investigating officer in charge of the murder investigation, has spoken of the legacy she left behind. Martyn Underhill MBE served as a police officer in both the Metropolitan Police and Sussex Police from 1979 to Underhill, who now lives in Dorset, told the BBC it was one of the biggest investigations he was involved in. There were 1,300 police officers involved and it cost nearly £ said: "The enormity of the task was the size of the search area which was hundreds of square miles."We had thousands of people helping, but it was a lengthy and laborious task trying to find Sarah's body."He said the chances of finding Sarah was "diminishing rapidly" when there was no news of her whereabouts within three days of the search."It was almost a relief for the family and police when she was tragically found," he said. Kevin Moore, now-retired, was head of Sussex Police CID during the investigation. He said local detective inspector, Paul Williams identified "a number of individuals" at the time, including Whiting. He said Whiting came on their radar because he could not account for his movements and had access to the van. Later, crime scene investigation officers took the van "to pieces", he said, and found forensic evidence linking Sarah to the vehicle. It was forensic science which helped solve the murder. A strand of Sarah's hair was found on Whiting's sweatshirt and fibres from his clothes were found on the girl's shoe. Patricia Wiltshire, a forensic ecologist from Surrey, was part of the investigation team. She analysed pollen on some of Whiting's belongings and was able to place Whiting at the site where Sarah's body was found. Other high profile cases Ms Wiltshire has helped investigate include the the murder of Milly Dowler in Walton-on-Thames and five women murdered by a serial killer in Ipswich in Wiltshire said she was "pleased" to bring Whiting to justice and "pleased science could be applied to help solve a crime". Sarah's legacy Following Whiting's conviction, Mr Underhill said a "source of pride" for him was helping launch Sarah's Child Sex Offender Scheme followed a similar scheme, Megan's Law, in the United States. It allows parents to ask police if someone with access to their son or daughter has been convicted or suspected of child mother, Sara Payne, had been advocating for such an initiative to be in place since her daughter's murder. Mr Underhill said: "The legacy of the tragedy of little Sarah is enormous. "Millions of children in the UK have grown up in a safer environment."Not just because of Sarah's Law, but the whole process of managing high-risk paedophiles in the community which has changed so much since her murder. "There's no doubt the case was tragic, but her legacy is enormous and her family must take some comfort from that." Sussex Police said Sarah's murder was "tragic and is still in the thoughts of many police officers and staff, past and present". "Our thoughts remain with Sarah's family as we approach the 25th anniversary of her death."Emily Konstantas, chief executive of The Safeguarding Alliance, said Sarah's Law is significant but there are said information cannot be passed on to others who may be responsible for safeguarding the child, which "hinders" taking a "collective and preventative approach to child protection"."It is time to strengthen Sarah's Law to ensure that those best placed to protect children can share relevant information lawfully, responsibly, and without unnecessary barriers", she said."Protection must be proactive, not bound by red tape."We must also consider the urgent need for reforms such as Della's Law, which seeks to close the loophole allowing sex offenders to change their names and conceal their identities. "Without addressing this, we risk rendering disclosure schemes ineffective. "A joined-up approach is essential if we are to truly prioritise the safety of children."
Daily Mail
25-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Prisoner who stabbed child killer Roy Whiting told nurses he did it to get taken off the wing, court hears
A prisoner who stabbed child killer Roy Whiting in his jail cell told nurses he had 'no option other than attack a sex offender in order to get taken off the wing', a court heard. Andrew Light, 45, complained he 'disliked being among nonces' on D-Wing of HMP Wakefield. He was also taking the illicit drug Spice whilst inside shortly before stabbing Whiting, 66, with a six-inch wooden shank, a jury at Leeds Crown Court was told. Whiting - who is serving a life sentence for the abduction and murder of eight-year-old Sarah Payne in July 2000 - was stabbed by Light with the improvised weapon on February 11, 2024. Psychiatrist Dr Purvesh Madhani assessed Light after his attack on Whiting. The doctor told the attempted murder trial Light suffered from schizoaffective disorder and an emotionally unstable personality disorder, but he 'had the requisite capacity to form intent' at the time he tried to kill Whiting. His condition had been managed for decades by taking the anti-psychotic medicine Olanzapine - which stopped him hallucinating - and he was transferred to HMP Wakefield in August 2023 after spending 20 years in a psychiatric facility. Dr Madhani told the court Light had suicidal thoughts and self harmed when he failed to properly take his medication, but at the time of his attack on Whiting he had 'agency', was 'goal orientated' and 'aware of his actions'. The psychiatrist said Light's medical record showed he had been taking the novel psychoactive substance Spice in the period leading up to the stabbing, which could have effected his mental condition. Light told prison nurses in October 2023 that he was 'unhappy' in HMP Wakefield and 'disliked being among nonces'. They recorded in his medical notes that 'being among nonces is making him feel unwell'. He felt 'angry and frustrated'. After failing a mandatory drugs test Light said he 'did not give a s**t about medication'. The medical record read: 'Andrew stated he now feels he has no option other than attack a sex offender in order to get taken off the wing.' Prosecutor Michael Smith asked Dr Madhani what did Light telling Whiting 'that was for Sarah Payne' after stabbing him indicate about his awareness and capacity. Dr Madhani said Light targeted Whiting. 'If that indeed was said, it indicates to me that he is capable of thinking in a coherent way about the alleged victim and his antecedence,' replied the doctor. The jury has been told that Light has admitted possessing a bladed article in the prison and also pleaded guilty to unlawfully wounding Whiting. He also changed his plea to guilty on a change of wounding with intent today. However, Light still denies attempted murder. The trial continues.
Daily Mail
24-06-2025
- Daily Mail
Inmate told child killer Roy Whiting 'that was for Sarah Payne' as he stabbed him with 6in wooden shank in his jail cell, court hears
An inmate told Roy Whiting 'That was for Sarah Payne' after stabbing the paedophile child killer with a 6in shank in his jail cell, a court heard. A prison guard believed Andrew Light, 45, was 'killing him' as he attacked Whiting, 66, with the wooden blade in HMP Wakefield. Whiting - who was serving a life sentence for the abduction and murder of eight-year-old Sarah Payne in July 2000 - was stabbed by Light with the improvised weapon, on February 11 2024, a jury at Leeds Crown Court was told. Prison Officer Alex Dyson was on a shift on D-Wing at around 4pm when he heard 'muffled' cries of 'boss, boss' coming from cell D240. PO Dyson, giving evidence on day two of Light's attempted murder trial, told the jury when he reached the cell he saw Light stabbing Whiting. 'My initial thought was that he was causing major injury and that Whiting's life was in immediate danger,' PO Dyson said from the witness stand. 'I could see lots of blood on the weapon and there was blood on the floor. Whiting was trying desperately to get away and he had a grip of the cupboard at his right hand side of the cell. 'But Light had a tight grip of him and he could not get himself free.' 'Andrew Light had his left arm around Roy Whiting's waist holding him, to stop him getting away. In his right hand he had a weapon, about six inches long, I couldn't tell at the time what it was. 'There was a lot of blood on Roy Whiting, there was a lot of blood on the floor and on the weapon, and he was stabbing him in his stomach, from behind. 'He was stabbing him around the side, around the front in the stomach quite furiously. 'He was using a lot of force. I thought at the time that he was killing him. There was a lot of blood. It looked horrific.' PO Dyson activated his body-cam and summoned assistance as he repeatedly shouted for Light to 'drop the weapon' and 'put the weapon on the floor', but the inmate ignored his orders. The jury watched the body cam footage, which showed PO Dyson brandishing a PAVA spray. When fellow prison officers arrived the cell door was shut, leaving Light and Whiting in the cell together. Whiting then crawled under his bed for protection as Light resumed his attack. Though the viewing hatch, PO Dyson saw him stab Whiting under the bed 'at least a dozen times' before guards decided to enter the cell and cuff Light after he finally threw the weapon to the floor. PO Dyson told the jury that it was protocol to lock a door when they had a 'hostage situation' and that had he entered alone whilst the attack was going on 'I thought I would probably get stabbed.' The officer described Light using 'as much force as I think he could use.' PO Dyson told the jury that Light said to Whiting as he was led away 'see you later Roy' and also told him 'That was for Sarah Payne'. John Elvidge KC, representing Light, challenged PO Dyson's recollection as those words were not picked up on the body cam audio. PO Dyson replied: 'I have heard it at some point because it is in my statement.' Whiting suffered multiple cuts, including a bad cut to his ear, but his injuries where not life threatening, the court heard. 'He was very lucky. He came off a lot better than he could have been,' said PO Dyson. Prison nurse Laura Mortimer-Reid was the first medical officer on the scene. The jury watched video footage of a heavily bloodstained Whiting crawling back out from under the bed, bleeding from his left ear. Mrs Mortimer-Reid said the wound to the ear was 'quite deep' and needed to be glued but other than that she described his injuries, including cuts to his hands and neck, as 'superficial' and 'not life threatening'. The jury has been told that Light has admitted possessing a bladed article in the prison and also pleaded guilty to unlawfully wounding Whiting. Light denies attempted murder and wounding with intent. The trial continues.
The Sun
24-06-2025
- The Sun
Lag chillingly said ‘that's for Sarah Payne' after knifing her evil killer in bloodbath ‘revenge attack' in prison cell
AN inmate told child killer Roy Whiting 'That was for Sarah Payne' after stabbing him in his jail cell, a court heard. Andrew Light, 45, attacked the paedophile at HMP Wakefield with a six-inch wooden shank. 3 3 Light admitted possessing a bladed article in the prison and also pleaded guilty to unlawfully wounding Whiting, but denies attempted murder and wounding with intent. Whiting, who is serving a life sentence for the abduction and murder of eight-year-old Sarah in July 2000, was targeted on February 11, 2024. Prison Officer Alex Dyson told the jury that Light said to Whiting as he was led away: 'See you later Roy. That was for Sarah Payne.' Giving evidence on day two of Light's attempted murder trial, PO Dyson explained how he was on a shift on D-Wing at around 4pm when he heard 'muffled' cries of 'boss, boss' coming from his cell. He added: 'My initial thought was that he was causing major injury and that Whiting's life was in immediate danger. 'I could see lots of blood on the weapon and there was blood on the floor. 'Whiting was trying desperately to get away and he had a grip of the cupboard at his right hand side of the cell. 'But Light had a tight grip of him and he could not get himself free.' 'Andrew Light had his left arm around Roy Whiting's waist holding him, to stop him getting away. 'In his right hand he had a weapon, about six inches long, I couldn't tell at the time what it was. 'There was a lot of blood on Roy Whiting, there was a lot of blood on the floor and on the weapon, and he was stabbing him in his stomach, from behind. 'He was stabbing him around the side, around the front in the stomach quite furiously . 'He was using a lot of force. I thought at the time that he was killing him. 'There was a lot of blood. It looked horrific.' PO Dyson activated his body-cam and summoned assistance as he repeatedly shouted for Light to 'drop the weapon', but the inmate ignored his orders. Whiting then crawled under his bed for protection as Light resumed his attack. PO Dyson said he saw Light stab Whiting 'at least a dozen times' before guards intervened. Whiting suffered multiple cuts but his injuries were not life threatening, the court heard. Giving evidence yesterday, Whiting told the jury: 'I bled a hell of a lot, I thought it's something major.' The jury has been told that Light has admitted possessing a bladed article in the prison and also unlawfully wounding Whiting. But he denies attempted murder and wounding with intent. The trial continues. 3
Daily Record
23-06-2025
- Daily Record
Sarah Payne's killer in court after fellow prisoner 'tried to kill him'
Child killer Roy Whiting came face to face with the man accused of trying to murder him behind bars. Child killer Roy Whiting left jail yesterday to give chilling evidence in court against a fellow inmate accused of trying to kill him in a vicious prison stabbing. Whiting, 66, is serving a life sentence for the 2000 abduction and murder of eight-year-old Sarah Payne. He appeared at Leeds Crown Court to testify against Andrew Light, 45, who is accused of launching a brutal attack with a makeshift weapon inside HMP Wakefield in February last year. The court heard how Light allegedly stabbed Whiting multiple times with a wooden shank. Light denies attempted murder, though he has already admitted to assault and possessing a weapon, reports the Mirror. Prosecutor Michael Smith said: 'We will not invite you to be sympathetic to any victim. There can be no doubt that Roy Whiting was a victim of an assault at the hands of Andrew Light who was also at the time in HMP Wakefield. 'Andrew Light has pleaded guilty to assaulting Roy Whiting and pleaded guilty to having a weapon in his possession when he did that. This case is about the intent with which he acted." He added: 'What the prosecution say is that attack was with intent to kill Roy Whiting, or an attempt to cause him really serious harm.' Jurors were told Whiting was left bleeding heavily after being struck behind the ears, forcing him to hide under his bed. 'The evidence of Whiting is that he was attacked with a wooden shank, an improvised weapon, in his cell... He was dragged back into cell, the attack continued and he was hit behind the ears, with heavy bleeding, so he hid behind the bed, and the attack came to an end when prison officers came to his aid," Mr Smith told the court. Whiting had made a short journey from Wakefield prison to Leeds under tight security. It was his first appearance in public in 24 years. The attack was captured on prison officer bodycam footage, with Light allegedly telling staff at the scene: "He is dead." Mr Smith said Light later told staff he "hoped" Whiting was dead. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Wearing a grey sweatshirt and glasses, Whiting described how he was blindsided in his cell after returning from evening association. Taking the stand, he said: 'I heard the door open to the cell, I did not know him and had never spoken to him. He asked if I was Whiting and I said yes and he had a shank, a wooden shank in his hand. 'He did not say anything and he started swinging at me with the shank in his hands... He was aiming for my head and face first off. It was quite forceful blows… I blocked some with my arms.' He went on: 'I fell backwards onto my bed against the wall… He was on top of me still trying to stab me… A couple of times I got hold of his hand and it eased up a bit.' Whiting said he tried desperately to shield himself from the flurry of blows: 'At least a dozen blows connected with arms, side of my face, they were everywhere… I was able to get up off the bed… I made a lunge for the door.' As he struggled to escape, Whiting said he was hit again: 'He hit me in the back, ribs, arms and he caught me on left ear and there was a lot of blood… I just dropped and rolled under bed quickly because I was exhausted.' He recalled prison officers shouting at the attacker: 'There were four or five of them all shouting - they told him to drop the knife a couple of times. He still had the shank in his hand, that is why I went under the bed.' Photos of Whiting's injuries were shown in court, including scratches to his face and stomach, and a significant injury to his ear. 'I knew I had been cut badly but didn't know exactly where,' he said. Under cross-examination by defence KC John Elvidge, Whiting confirmed he didn't need hospital treatment or stitches—just medical glue from prison healthcare staff. He demonstrated how the weapon had been used in a downward stabbing motion. Jurors were told there were no injuries sustained once Whiting was under the bed. He admitted having seen Light before, but said they had never spoken. 'I had a pen in my hand. It's possible I used it against him. I don't know if it was in my hand when the altercation started,' he added. Mr Elvidge suggested Whiting might have stabbed Light with the pen during the struggle. Whiting insisted he didn't know. The court heard the fight ended when officers intervened. Light was flanked by three prison guards in court, dressed in a blue tracksuit top. The judge reminded the jury not to discuss the case with anyone. The trial continues.
