A WOMAN whose ex-husband was jailed for possessing thousands of indecent images of children says she wants answers from the police about their investigation.
Colin Crossley, aged 61, was locked up for eight months last year after admitting possession of the 35,000 images, plus illegal drugs including rohypnol.
But his now ex-wife Melisa Crossley says she wants answers from West Mercia Police about the investigation, particularly how officers gained possession of a key to the house in Ronkswood, Worcester, which she shared with Mr Crossley and their two young children.
The 33-year-old says she believes the key was given to police by an unnamed person who tipped officers off.
“The police failed to detain and interrogate that person,” said Miss Crossley.
“What is the link between him and my ex-husband? Police said they tried to contact the sender of the e-mail [who tipped them off] but had no response.” She said her ex-husband doesn’t know who it was, either. “It violates the rights of me and my two children, aged eight and 13. If it was a forced entry I could understand but they gained entry with the key when we were out.”
She said a warrant application was made on the same day as police received the tip-off, which, according to Ms Crossley, is contrary to the police’s PACE (Police and Criminal Evidence Act) code.
She said her ex-husband “must be aware” of the protest. “He is still convicted,” she said. “But I am not here for his side. The conviction is there. I am here for the protection of my children. All I wish is to know the truth.”
An IPCC (Independent Police Complaints Commission) spokesman confirmed that it had partly upheld an appeal “on the grounds that a number of points raised were not sufficiently investigated”.
“We have directed the police (West Mercia) to carry out some further investigation of the complaint,” said the spokesperson.
“We have also requested their investigation is carried out by an investigating officer who has not had previous involvement (in the case).”
West Mercia Police, meanwhile, said that as a result of the IPCC’s partly upheld appeal a re-investigation “into elements of the original complaint” are ongoing.
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