Detectives sacked over father killed by teen thug

Peter Woodhams, 22, was murdered on his doorstep seven months after an assault by yobs left him badly scarred.

The man whose name he allegedly gave to police after the knife attack was later convicted of his murder.

An investigation by police watchdogs found serious flaws in the way the Met handled the case.

Detective Sergeant Darren Case and Detective Constable Adam Suett were "required to resign" yesterday after a two-day misconduct hearing. It ruled they had been guilty of gross neglect of duty when investigating the case.

The decision could result in Mr Woodhams's family receiving substantial damages from the Met.

The TV satellite engineer was shot in the heart in August last year in front of his fiancee Jane Bowden and three-year-old son Sam. That January he had been stabbed in the neck and slashed across the face by a gang at shops close to his home in Canning Town, East London.

No one was charged with the knifing and the yobs went on to wage a campaign of intimidation against the family.

An investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission led to the misconduct hearing.

After the verdict, Miss Bowden, 24, said: "I wanted them to be fired, and I am pleased they have been.

"This is something for us to cling to but Peter hasn't got his life back.

"Our son Sam has still got to grow up without a father and nothing will change that.

"I and the rest of Peter's family firmly believe that Peter died as a direct result of police negligence.

"It's a comfort to know the two officers who acted so irresponsibly will not be able to do anything like this again."

Mr Woodhams's father, also Peter, said: "The police now know that they must do their job thoroughly, and not halfheartedly."

Complaints commission officials uncovered a catalogue of shortcomings at all levels.

In a report published yesterday they said there were failures to secure evidence, take statements and follow up leads.

The report also found officers did not investigate anonymous phone calls identifying a number of suspects for the knifing. Three officers were handed written warningsearlier this year for failings in the case.

Last night Scotland Yard Commander Mark Simmons said: "We did not meet the standards expected of us or that we expect of ourselves.

"We have since taken steps to implement changes to improve and modify how Newham as a borough and the Met as an organisation, deal with allegations of violent crime."

The officers who have been sacked are expected to appeal.

Bradley Tucker, 18, was sentenced in May to a minimum of 25 years for murdering Mr Woodhams.