XPost: sac.general, alt.homosexual, alt.politics.liberalism
XPost: alt.journalism.criticism

The parents of a 14-year-old boy, murdered by a man he met
online, have received compensation and an apology from Surrey
Police over its handling of the case.

Breck Bednar was killed in 2014 after being lured to the Essex
home of 20-year-old Lewis Daynes, who is now serving life.

A report found police contact centre staff "lacked knowledge"
when his mother called with concerns her son was being groomed.

Breck Bednar was killed in 2014 after being lured to the home of
Lewis Daynes, 20, who is now serving life.

His mother called police with concerns about grooming but a
report found the force failed to deal with her properly.

Surrey Police said it "unreservedly apologises" and accepts
"mistakes were made".

Breck, from Caterham in Surrey, was killed in 2014 after
travelling to Daynes's home in Grays, Essex.

A trial heard there was sexual activity between the pair and
Daynes then slashed his victim's throat.

Weeks earlier, Breck's mother Lorin LaFave reported a change in
his behaviour to police.

An Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) inquiry found
the call handler and their supervisor lacked knowledge of
dealing with grooming concerns.

It also found Ms LaFave was not provided with information about
specialist agencies which help parents who suspect their child
may be being groomed.

The force also failed to check the Police National Computer, on
which a record existed for Daynes for a previous alleged rape of
a minor in 2011 in Essex.

Surrey Police said that Ms LaFave and Breck's father Barry
Bednar sought damages for "failing to protect their son," for
which the parties "have reached a settlement."

The force has "agreed to implement recommended changes... to
ensure that other children like Breck are protected," a
spokesman said.

"Mr Bednar and Ms LaFave hope to work with Surrey Police in
order to enhance awareness of the dangers that young people face
online and to ensure that appropriate training is given to staff
to assist in the prevention of similar crimes against children,"
he added.

Investigators previously served a misconduct notice on a staff
member at Surrey Police contact centre. Another staff member,
who took the call, resigned from the force last August.

The IPCC said that, had both of them stayed in the force, they
would have had a case to answer for misconduct.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-essex-35797349
 

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