Colin Sutton has now turned his attention to a controversial murder case that has led to two secret trials and allegations of judicial injustice. The former senior Met Police officer was involved in the early stages of the investigation into the 2006 murder of isolated millionaire writer Allan Chappelow. Image: Writer Allan Chappelow was assassinated in 2006 Chinese dissident Wang Yam was convicted of murder in 2009, despite the fact that the evidence against him was, according to the court, “completely occasional”. Yam, widely cited as an MI6 informant, continues to protest his innocence behind bars – and questions have been raised about his conviction following his trial. Mr. Sutton has now re-examined the case in the Sky Crime The Real Manhunter series – one of 10 investigations he is watching again as the program returns for a second season. The former chief investigator told Sky News that the re-examination of the Chappelow murder case gave him “the opportunity to look at aspects of the evidence and the investigation that I was previously unaware of”.
What happened to Alan Chappellou?
Writer Allan Chappelow was an expert on playwright George Bernard Shaw and was successful in the 1960s, but had become isolated in his later years. The 86-year-old millionaire was murdered at his destroyed home in Hampstead, north-west London, in May 2006. His body was found more than four weeks later buried under about five feet of paper, curled up in a fetal position, partially burned and covered with wax The discovery led to the arrest of Wang Yam, a Chinese dissident, as a suspect in the murder A court heard Yam – who had sought asylum in the UK – spend a month cloning Mr Chappelow’s identity using documents from home, but attempts to get cash failed when his Chinese accent alerted banking staff. But while there was occasional evidence linking him to the crime, there was no forensic evidence linking him to the murder scene At the start of the Yam Old Bailey trial, the judge ordered that part of the evidence be heard in camera – meaning it would be closed to the public and the press – “in the interests of national security and the protection of identity.” of a witness or other person “ Yam denied the murder and the jurors failed to reach a verdict in his first trial. However, he was sentenced to a second trial in January 2009 and sentenced to life in prison with a minimum sentence of 20 years. Writer and journalist Duncan Campbell believes Wang did not have a fair trial, telling the Guardian in 2018 that there was evidence that “almost certainly would have led to his acquittal”. This included that Mr Chappelow’s neighbor had been threatened with burglary and murder while Yam was in custody and that the victim was a frequent visitor to a gay cruise spot in Hampstead Heath. Yam has appealed to the European Court of Human Rights, arguing that his 2009 trial was unfair, but that it was rejected by seven judges in January 2020. It was the latest in a series of failed Yam legal offers, including a 2017 Court of Appeal ruling upholding his conviction.
“A really bad, calculated killer” After reviewing the case, Mr Sutton said he had “no doubt” about the identity of Mr Chappelow’s killer. “I think it was a solid and solid belief in a really bad, calculated killer who was ready to make money and solve his debt problems,” he says. “I think the evidence that Wang took and used the cards (of Mr Chappelow) and actually stole his money was overwhelming. “The degree of planning, the method and the process by which the crime was completed leave me with very little doubt.” Picture: The rubbish heap under which Mr. Chappelow’s body was found. Photo: Shutterstock Asked if the secret element of the trial may have fueled the belief that there was a judicial injustice, Mr Sutton replied: “Very likely. “It was a remarkable thing from a legal historical point of view that a murder trial was being held secretly. “This happened because of the nature of his defense and fears that it would be detrimental to national security if he were kept in public. “It’s another layer of intrigue about what is, in any case, a very interesting research.” Image: Mr Chappelow’s body was found in his σπίτι 4.1 million’s damaged home in Hampstead. Photo: Shutterstock It was reported earlier this year that Yam had given information about telecommunications giant Huawei to a parliamentary committee while serving a prison sentence for murder. Mr Sutton says: “It shows the kind of circles he got involved in and it shows that he was definitely aware of something. “There is no doubt that he had good relations through his family with the Chinese Communist Party and had some knowledge of the affairs there – it does not mean that he did not commit the murder.” “Levi Beldfield – never believe a word a man says” Mr. Sutton’s plot to capture serial killer Levi Bellfield – who killed schoolgirl Milly Dowler – and Night Stalker rapist Delroy Grant was featured in the ITV drama series Manhunt, starring Martin Clunes as the chief inspector. . Image: Martin Clunes (L) as DCI Colin Sutton and Celyn Jones as Levi Bellfield in ITV’s Manhunt series. Photo: ITV / Shutterstock In recent months, Belffield has reportedly confessed to the notorious hammer killings of mother and daughter Lynn and Megan Russell 26 years ago and asked to be married in prison. Mr Sutton – who came face to face with the killer after his arrest – says Belffield “unfortunately is very willing to make headlines”. “Every time he does, I have to change my phone to silent because people and his wife are trying to call me to talk about it,” he added. “It simply came to our notice then. “The best rule of thumb when dealing with Levi Bellfield is to never believe a single word a man says.” Image: Milly Dowler’s killer, Levi Bellfield, allegedly confessed to the murders of Lin and Megan Russell. Photo: Shutterstock Mr Sutton says Belfield’s request for marriage in prison “seems strange” to “someone who was so violent towards women, killed women and was completely half-hearted all his life”. “I think he likes to be relevant,” he added. “I’m not sure it will evolve in the way we could believe it could.” “I was heartbroken” by partygate Mr Sutton says a third series of The Real Manhunter could be removed from murder cases, but there is one investigation he will not reconsider – the investigation into Met’s partygate. “I would like to stay as far away from the partygate as I can,” he says. “I think, like many people, I’m tired of it all.” Read more: Detective who caught Milly Dowler’s killer reveals “tricks” used by police in the fight against the killer Levi Belfield may have committed more murders, says the former Met police detective Mr Sutton added: “I’m very interested in the serious crime and the way it is being investigated. I have friends and even family in the police and I keep in touch with what happens this way. “I have the utmost respect – the job is harder these days than ever. “Those who continue to do so simply have my admiration and respect.” Image: Night Stalker Delroy Grant is one of Britain’s most corrupt sexual assailants With police confrontations The Metropolitan Police have dealt with a number of recent scandals, including the conviction of Officer Wayne Couzens for the murder of Sarah Everard and evidence of misogyny and discrimination in its ranks. But Mr Sutton, who retired from the Meteorological Police in 2011, believes cultural problems within the force have improved over the course of his 30-year career. “The Met I left in 2011 was nothing like the Met I entered in 1981,” he says. “There is always room for improvement. Police officers are removed from society and society unfortunately has these elements of sexism, homophobia and racism in it. “I do not think the answer is for people to send emails from above. “The real answer is at the level of working with the first and second line supervisors – the sergeants and the inspectors – there must be leadership there. “You can not show leadership sitting behind a desk at a computer. You have to be there with people to do it. “I think this is the change in management culture that will be needed to drive the change in real culture.” Mr Sutton says he hopes the new series The Real Manhunter – which includes the first murder case in which he worked as a detective inspector in 1992 – shows “how good a police officer can be in serious crime”. He added: “There are many reasons for this – reassuring people and, I suppose, waving the flag lightly in difficult times for the police.” The Real Manhunter 2 series launches on Sky Crime and NOW streaming service on June 13th.
