As new crime Bill lumbers on, Keith Bennett’s brother asks how police can be denied access to murder clues

The brother of ‘lost boy’ Keith Bennett has posed the question – how can police be denied access to secret documents about a murder case?

Alan Bennett said: “How can any information be seen as anything other than essential to an investigation?”

He recently met with the Home Secretary, Priti Patel, to discuss the new Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Bill which is designed to force people and organisations to reveal all relevant information to police.

Alan and many others have been battling for years to get Liverpool solicitor Robin Makin to open two briefcases entrusted to him by Moors murderer Ian Brady just before he died.

It is possible the briefcases, kept securely in storage, could contain clues to where Brady and his monstrous lover Myra Hindley buried the body of Keith, who was 12 when he was snatched by the pair in Ashton-u-Lyne,

Backing the move, Alan said: “I am really confident that the part of the Bill that is of specific interest to me – and will be to other victims and their families in the future – regarding the case of Keith will not be challenged.”

Relatives have demanded that the cases should be opened and access to the hidden papers given.

Police say they want access to the Samsonite briefcases which Brady kept locked in the bedroom at high security hospital Ashworth Prison in Maghull.

He spent most of his life locked up.

Solicitor Mr Makin rarely comments on the cases.. But a district judge sitting at Manchester Magistrates’ Court had refused a police appeal to access the cases because Brady and Hindley are dead so there is no chance of a prosecution.

I have an update after contacting the Home Office again today for answers as to what happens next after the Police, Crime, Sentencing And Courts Bill was passed after the second reading yesterday.

Alan said: “The Bill will move on for more detailed scrutiny and MP’s will be able to propose amendments and some may be voted on in later debates.

“It is hoped the Bill will receive Royal Assent by the end of the year.

“I have to admit that the timescale is longer than I expected/hoped for but at least things are in motion and moving in the right direction after years of arguing for justice for victims and families as opposed to the perpetrators and their representatives having more rights than the victims and families.”

Alan said: “Keith’s story will be known to many, but what may not be known is the struggle which our family has gone through to try and seek closure.

“I have fought long and hard on behalf of my brother to bring about the necessary changes and to ensure his case is not forgotten.

“I want to ensure a positive legacy for Keith, so I was pleased to meet with the Home Secretary and to hear about the work being done to support my endeavours.”

Priti Patel said: “I can only imagine the years of pain and turmoil that the Bennett family have faced following Keith’s tragic murder – no family should have to suffer the heartache of not knowing where their loved ones are buried.

“I am determined to give police the powers they need to access all available evidence and hopefully bring some closure to families in cases like these.”

#murdermostfoul #hindleyandbrady #myraian #saddleworthmoor #lostboy #keithbennett #moorsmurders #pritipatel