Met calls in watchdog over handling of beach murder case
Scotland Yard has launched an internal investigation over its handling of a complaint in the murder investigation of a female football coach on Bournemouth beach.
Nasen Saadi, a 20-year-old man from Croydon, is accused of murdering Amie Gray, 34, and attempting to murder Leanne Miles, 38, at Durley Chine Beach, on May 24.
He is set to face trial on Nov 25 at Winchester Crown Court.
The police watchdog said it received a referral by the Met Police over its handling of a complaint, made by a third party, three months before the attack.
The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said that while an investigation is warranted it should instead be undertaken by the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards.
Gray, from Poole, was head ladies coach at Dorset Futsal Club and left behind a wife.
Friends and loved ones had paid tribute to her on social media, with one describing her as a “beautiful person inside and out”.
One friend said: “It is such a shocking thing to happen. She was a wonderful human being and didn’t have any enemies.”
An IOPC spokesman said: “If the complainant is unhappy with the outcome of the investigation, they will have a right of review to the IOPC, providing a level of independent oversight.
“The Met has also been reminded that if, during their investigation, there is an indication of a conduct matter or that any officer may have committed a criminal offence, it must refer the matter to us.”
A Met Police spokesman said: “On Monday June 3, we received a complaint from a third party… made in February.
“We made a mandatory referral to the Independent Office for Police Conduct on June 7. They have referred the matter back to us for local investigation.”
