EXCEPTIONAL Thames Valley Police officers, staff, and partners were recognised at the latest Chief Constable’s Awards Ceremony.
40 awards were presented by Chief Constable John Campbell for dedication, commitment and bravery on Wednesday, March 30.
Among those receiving an award was Detective Sergeant Alice Ashman for her work relating to the tragic death of 10-year-old Kaden Reddick at the Oracle shopping centre in Reading on Monday, February 13, 2017.
Kaden was killed by a falling queue barrier at the Topshop store, causing catastrophic head injuries.
DS Ashman was the investigating officer from the beginning and worked closely with her fellow officers, the Crown Prosecution Service, Reading Borough Council, which investigated potential health and safety offences, Arcadia’s solicitors, the Oracle and others.
The police investigation looked at the offence of corporate manslaughter against Arcadia but after nearly 18 months, the CPS decided there was insufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction.
The investigation was then handed to the council to continue under health and safety legislation.
Arcadia Group Ltd, Topshop/Topman Ltd, and Realm Projects were found guilty of failing to discharge a health and safety duty following a trial at Reading Crown Court, which concluded on , March 21, this year.
Stoneforce Ltd had previously pleaded guilty to failing to discharge a health and safety duty.
DS Ashman continued to work on the case, as a file had to be prepared for the coroner for an inquest, which returned a verdict of accidental death in March 2020.
She supported the family throughout, even after police involvement ended, clear testament of the positive impact she has had during an unimaginably traumatic time for them.
DS Ashman said: “This has been a long and complex investigation and I am grateful receive this award, but my thoughts very much remain with Kaden’s family.”
More commendations were presented to Inspector Kelly Reed and Detective Constable Claire Furness for their work to establish a hospital navigator scheme in five hospitals in the Thames Valley while seconded to the violence reduction unit between May 2020 and March 2021.
The scheme sees emergency department community volunteers support young people when they attended having been a victim or perpetrator of violence.
The navigators help them access specialist support within their community, such as mentoring, with the aim of preventing them from becoming involved in violence again in the future.
Inspector Reed said: “This is a fantastic recognition for community based problem solving.
“The Thames Valley Hospital Navigator Scheme is an example of partner agencies working together with volunteers, making the communities of Thames Valley safer for everyone.”
DC Furness added: “I am really proud to have received this recognition for the work that I have done.”
Another officer to receive a Chief Constable’s Commendation was Detective Constable Rosie March for her determination and attention to detail that led to the successful prosecution of a predatory individual who preyed on vulnerable young men.
After the case was reallocated to DC March from another officer, she methodically and systematically reviewed it, picking up essential enquiries and working tirelessly to get it to a stage where it could be presented to the CPS.
Throughout this, DC March also managed to build up the family’s trust and confidence with the police.
Through her tenacious investigative mind-set, she identified and built a rapport with a number of key witnesses, which in turn encouraged them to share evidence for the investigation. DC March instigated and pursued a successful extradition warrant to bring the suspect back from Spain.
After a two-week long trial, Roy Coxhead, formerly of Erleigh Road, Reading, was sentenced to 18 years in prison after being found guilty of two counts of indecency with a child, three counts of indecent assault on a male, attempting to commit a serious sexual offence, perverting the course of justice, four counts of sexual activity with a child and two counts of causing or inciting a child to engage in sexual activity.
The judge commended DC March for her investigation, saying: “After taking over a difficult investigation at a difficult time, the officers efforts had been exemplary and the court is truly grateful.
“Her efforts and work as the OIC had been discharged perfectly.”
After receiving her award, DC March said: “This was an extremely complicated and demanding investigation which resulted in a dangerous sex offender being sentenced to 18 years in prison.
“It is only through the bravery and the determination of the two people who came to the police that we were able to imprison a man who had been offending in the Reading area for upwards of 30 years.”
