??/??/?? - Statement of Chris WINSTONE

Witness Statement (CJ Act 1967 s.9; MC Act 1980 ss.5A, (3) (a) and 5B, MC Rules 1981 r.70)

Statement of Chris WINSTONE
Age if under 18 Over 18 (if over 18 insert "over 18")
Occupation Detective Constable

This statement (consisting of 3 pages each signed by me) is true to the best of my knowledge and belief and I make it knowing that, if it is tendered in evidence, I shall be liable to prosecution if I have wilfully stated in it anything which I know to be false or do not believe to be true.

Signature
Date

I am a serving Essex Detective Constable. I have previously been interviewed concerning my dealings with a protected witness called Darren NiCHOLLS and have now been asked to clarify some points. I have no recall of Darren NICHOLLS ever meeting a Caroline DAWNAY in August 1996 or indeed at any time.

I have seen a copy of the custody record of Darren NICHOLLS at about that time and there is no record of any such meeting on this document. It has been suggested to me by DI FANTOM and DC POWELL that there is information to suggest that Mr NICHOLLS met Ms DAWNAY whilst he (Mr NICHOLLS) was away from the police station where he was residing at that time.

According to the custody record Mr NICHOLLS was at that time staying at Colchester Police Station where I remember him residing in the female cell area. Part of my duties were the welfare of Mr NICHOLLS, on occasions I escorted Mr NICHOLLS out of the police station for the day or part of the day. I also was an investigator on the murder investigation team.

I cannot remember the dates involved but I feel it is worthy of mention that for a period of time although Mr NICHOLLS was residing in a cell block he was technically on bail, but subject to the condition he lived at a location approved by Essex Police.

I am absolutely confident that I would have recorded any excursion of Mr NICHOLLS that I supervised upon the custody record. Indeed I would have recorded any visit I made to him whilst he resided at the police station. I would have included the times of the excursion or visit and identified anybody who was accompanying me.

I have no memories of ever taking Mr NICHOLLS to London and I do not remember taking him to meet his legal representatives. The only locations I can remember taking Mr NICHOLLS to were to the Rayleigh, Brightlingsea, Southend and Suffolk areas. At all times I kept Mr NICHOLLS within my sight and under my supervision he could not have had a meeting with other people without me being aware.

I do not remember any meeting with any third person whilst we were out. Mr NICHOLLS was transported by car on the days out. I seem to remember that on occasions we were accompanied by officers, whose names I cannot remember, carrying firearms.

All receipts for expenses incurred were kept in a file and a diary was kept recording any such expenditure. I do remember the Essex Police Diving Section taking over many of the duties in relation to Mr NICHOLLS and his welfare. There may have been an operational name for this change of personnel, but I cannot remember.

There would have been some kind of handover briefing given to the new staff but again I cannot remember any personal involvement. As I remember the Diving Section were brought in to distance the role of investigators such as myself from the protection and welfare duties towards Mr NICHOLLS.

The Diving Section carried out these duties for a matter of a few weeks but I cannot remember the exact time period. I believe that their new duties were fitted around their ongoing diving responsibilities. During the time period that the Diving Section appear to be looking after Mr NICHOLLS I have seen three entries on a copy of the custody record that involve myself.

The first was on 30th July 1996 where DC Pat LEE and I visited Mr NICHOLLS. The second was an entry on 3rd August 2005 documenting a trip out supervised by myself and PC 617 MILBOURNE, a member of the diving team. Lastly an entry on 5th August 1996 refers to a trip out supervised by myself and DC Michael BROWN. I do not have any memories of these three occasions.

When first asked I could not remember any names of Diving Team staff but having viewed the custody record I remembered PC MILBOURNE was such a member of staff. As I remember Mr NICHOLLS became dissatisfied with the way he was being looked after by the Diving Team.

A decision was made by the murder enquiry management team that the duties in relation to Mr NICHOLLS should be handed back to myself, DC BROWN, DC LEE and DC CLARKE. I do not have in my possession any documents of any nature relating to my dealings with Mr NICHOLLS. I have been asked if I can recall my duties on Thursday 1st August 1996, I have no such recollection.

I reiterate that I was not aware of any contact between Mr NICHOLLS and any representative of the media and that I have no knowledge of Darren signing any agreements with the media or any documentation concerning the media.