Policeman bailed 'despite warnings'

A catalogue of misjudgments that allowed a policeman accused of murder to be freed before apparently killing his mother-in-law and then shooting himself has been disclosed.

A judge released Garry Weddell, 47, on bail despite his own reservations and the prosecution's warning that he was a "desperate man" who might try to harm himself. And magistrates failed to send the father-of-three back to custody even when he breached one of his "stringent" bail conditions.

Transcripts of five court hearings were released following calls for an inquiry into why Weddell was released while awaiting trial for murdering his wife.

Sandra Weddell, 44, a London-born nurse, was found strangled at the couple's family home in Lancot Avenue, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, on January 31 last year. Her husband, an inspector with the Metropolitan Police, was charged with her murder five months later and was due to stand trial at Luton Crown Court in May.

Judge John Bevan QC twice refused Weddell bail before releasing him on July 27 after the policeman's barrister brother put up a £200,000 bond. The judge told him: "It is a very borderline decision that I have granted you bail at all, and you understand that if you breach any of these conditions, then you will be straight back into custody."

On November 2 Weddell was brought before Woking Magistrates' Court after allegedly breaching two of his bail conditions.

The police officer was accused of speaking to his children's guardian - a prosecution witness he was banned from contacting - and of going to a pub in Bedfordshire when he was prohibited from entering the county. The magistrates found the second breach proved, but allowed him to remain on bail because it was "so minor".

On January 12 the bodies of Weddell and his mother-in-law, Traute Maxfield, 70, were found 10 miles from each other in Hertfordshire.

Police believe Weddell shot Mrs Maxfield, a retired carer and widow, at her home in Gustard Wood before committing suicide at Broomhills shooting club in Markyate.

The prosecution opposed the policeman being granted bail at every stage.