You can watch it on Monday nights at 9pm. After tonight's episode, the entire series will be available to stream via the ITV Hub. Halliwell, serving life for killing Sian, was convicted of Beckys murder in September 2016. Fulcher admits he was only seconds from giving up, but suddenly Halliwell cracked and offered to take him to where hed dumped Sians body. A Confession on ITV: Viewers distracted by camera work in drama, PACE stands for Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984, By not following PACE, Fulcher extracted two confessions, A Confession: Sickening thing murderer did to throw police off scent. I got in touch with all the clubs nothing. One of those items was a pair of boots belonging to Sian, and another a cardigan that belonged to Becky. Any mother would. As a result of this decision, Fulcher violated the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984 (PACE), which later cost him his reputation and career and changed his life. The families of his missing victims, Sian and another girl Becky Godden-Edwards, were given some closure after their tragic deaths. Former Detective Superintendent Steve Fulcher took charge of the case and his team's findings led them to taxi driver Christopher Halliwell, who murdered both women and is currently serving a double life sentence. After Halliwell got life for Sians murder, the police told me there wasnt enough evidence for him to be charged over Becky, but they hoped Id be satisfied he was going away for a long time. Then he turned to the officer in charge, DS Steve Fulcher, and said: Do you want another one? He then told them where he had buried Becky many years earlier. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. Then an inquiry found Steve guilty of breaching guidelines so, disgraced, he resigned. Steve Fulcher said: "Halliwell murdered other people without any shadow of a doubt. The drama follows Detective Superintendent Steve Fulcher as he and Wiltshire Police search for the killer of 22-year-old Sian OCallaghan who was murdered back in March 2011. "If he's a bit arrogant that doesn't mean what he did was wrong. After all, couldnt he have just picked up and dropped her off as he did with paying fares dozens of times every day? Relationship with Riley explained. Jeff Pope's new ITV drama A Confession stars Martin Freeman as Detective Steve Fulcher, whose hunt for missing 22-year-old Sian O'Callaghan led him into an extraordinary situation in 2011. Steve now works as a security contractor in Somalia as he has been unable to find work in the UK since the scandal. As seen in the third episode of the ITV series, Fulcher refused Halliwells requests to take him immediately to a police station. I KNOW HER: Is Lisa Faulkner in A Confession? PACE Code C sets out the requirements police must meet of the detention, treatment and questioning of people in police custody by police officers. I did these things because they were the right things to do in these circumstances. Then, suddenly, the police were at the door, with the most devastating news. Quite the opposite the two remain close to this day. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. He also revealed that finding work had been difficult following his time in the police. In October 2012, Halliwell was sentenced to life for Sians murder but not Beckys. Home of the Daily and Sunday Express. Karen has written a book, telling the story of her daughters short and troubled life, and attempting to make sense of what happened. job, Love Island's Olivia accuses Jessie of 'coming at her' as she's slammed over 'fake' claims, Subscribe to Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror newspapers. Life lost: Sian OCallaghan, 22, was murdered by Christopher Halliwell in 2011. During the trial, Halliwell also accused the detective of threatening his family during questioning. On claims from critics and former colleagues that Fulcher's behaviour was "arrogant", Freeman asserted that ultimately his motive was well-intentioned and justifiable. In the end he links Sian's case to the disappearance of Becky Godden-Edwards after Halliwell owned up to a second body. Asked if he regrets his actions, he added: "If I've saved a victim as a consequence of sacrificing my career, then I'm happy with that deal. There are two tracks in policing, says Fulcher. MARTIN FREEMAN STARS IN ITV DRAMA 'A CONFESSION; Steve Fulcher, played by Martin Freeman, lost his career after catching a serial killer, Detective Superintendent Steve Fulcher resigned from Wiltshire Police in May 2014, Fulcher can be seen speaking to Halliwell in episode 3 of A Confession, Christopher Halliwell was found guilty of murder in 2016 and faces life in prison, Fulcher has been supported by the families of the victims, An investigation by the Independent Police Complaints Commission in 2013 found Fulcher had a case to answer for gross misconduct for ignoring force orders, Martin Freeman plays Fulcher in ITV series A Confession, Elaine Pickford, played by Sobhan Finneran, was grateful to DS Fulcher. Fulcher later said the situation was on a "knife-edge", fearing that Halliwell might change his mind about showing them where the body was located. Was Ellie gay in The Last Of Us game? "He was cleaning the rear of his vehicle with blue fluid, depositing items in bins and burning things in the night.". Not only did Fulcher manage to extract a confession for one murder, but Halliwell also admitted to killing Becky Godden-Edwards. The popular office worker had been partying in Swindon, Wiltshire before she set off on the 800m journey back to her flat. STEVE Fulcher was a detective who uncovered the crimes of a twisted double murderer before resigning from the force. His admission took police to the remains of Becky Godden, 20, who had disappeared from the same town in 2003. Then they. In 2017, the former Detective Superintendent spoke with Tim Lewis of the Guardian and gave a first-hand account of the events. They've actually become good friends of ours.'. Why would this not be the biggest, most protracted, most vigorous investigation in the history of British policing? he exclaims. A Confession on ITV location: Where is A Confession filmed? Whenever Steve Fulcher is asked to explain his actions during four excruciatingly tense hours on Thursday 24 March 2011 which he often is by former police colleagues, official enquiries and now journalists he always turns the question round. Karen searched, of course. He said: "I'm still bitter and angry - nothing's changed. The newsletter is emailed out first thing every morning, at 12noon and every evening. We were never going to be able to give Becky the wedding she would have wanted, but I wanted her funeral to reflect that side of her. March 24, 2011 - Halliwell leads Detective. The taxi driver was eventually convicted of the murder of Becky in 2016 when new evidence arose. Givn him an alternative of what he should have done and got those girls back. Wed both put ourselves into a position where we were sacrificing our lives.. Digital Spy is launching a newsletter sign up to get it sent straight to your inbox. But this time there was silence.. Believing Sian may still be alive and being . Fulcher believed that if Halliwell was taken to a police station, the detectives would have no chance of finding OCallaghan alive. In 2016, a judge, Sir John Griffith Williams, decided that the evidence collected by Fulcher about Becky Godden could and should be heard in court. Instead, seeing a window of opportunity, hed driven him to the field where Halliwell claimed another body would be found. Fulcher had elicited a confession from a cold-blooded murderer who had evaded police scrutiny for decades a serial killer who studied forensics so he would be better able to cover his tracks. Glamorous top lawyer, 27, is arrested and charged with multi-million dollar fraud: Cops search her flamboyant King Charles is 'evicting Harry and Meghan from Frogmore Cottage leaving them without a UK home - and offering Ukraine 'hits major Russian air base in fresh strike' a day after kamikaze drone crashed down just 68 miles from ISIS fanatic jailed over the gruesome beheading of two Scandinavian women hikers in Morocco that shocked the Police will quiz missing aristocrat and her boyfriend for another 36 hours to try and get answers on missing 'I'm glad the contract expired': Heston Blumenthal's fury as Waitrose ends 12-year partnership with him 'after Theatre issues trigger warning for production which 'involves the handling of a cooked egg'. The former Detective Superintendent left the police back in 2014. "He asked for my support, which I was more than happy to agree to. "He seems like a throughly decent man. It would prove to be a costly decision for Fulcher. "It's incumbent on a police force to pursue an investigation into a known murderer and serial killer using. It was probably the most intense four hours Ive ever experienced, recalls Fulcher, or I am ever likely to experience. Under clear blue skies, Halliwell and Fulcher smoked cigarettes, and slowly some kind of connection formed between the detective and the accused. EXCLUSIVE: It is exactly 10 years to the day since Sian O'Callaghan, who was murdered by Christopher Halliwell, went missing while walking home from a nightclub in Swindon - an investigation which ultimately cost Steve Fulcher his career. His story is a true. But heres where Fulcher tossed away the script. Judge Mrs Justice Fox has regarded the confession evidence as inadmissible as Fulcher had failed to caution Halliwell and denied him access to a solicitor at the time he had confessed. Freeman revealed that he met with Fulcher and they kept in touch during filming. Later that year, he resigned, his police career over. "Police stations are closing, resources are lacking and I think the times right for someone to come in, whos got an understanding of what the police service is about. Sian was always the good girl in this story and we were kind of dismissed. It doesnt even sound true. Code C specifically protects the rights of an individual against the police with regard to questioning and detention. I had to let her go. Rather than question Halliwell under caution at a police station, Steve decided to grill the cabbie at the Wiltshire beauty spot, without any legal representation and with nothing on tape. When tracking her mobile phone, Fulcher's team. Repeatedly, Halliwell refused to be drawn, but Fulcher chipped away, telling him that if he didnt co-operate, he would be vilified. Detective Sergeant Steve Fulcher resigned from the police force in 2014 after he was found guilty of misconduct for not reading Halliwell his rights when he first confessed to killing Godden-Edward in a remote rural location in 2011. The pair worked together on the Ms O'Callaghan case in Swindon 10 years ago. Halliwell was not charged over her death, but was. Martin Freeman played Detective Steve Fulcher (Image: ITV) Elaine O'Callaghan Halliwell had pleaded guilty to the murder Sian O'Callaghan on October 19, 2012. Weeks became months. Judge Mrs Justice Cox ruled both of Halliwell's confessions were inadmissable as evidence because Fulcher had breached Police and Criminal Evidence Act guidelines by not cautioning the killer and giving him access to a solicitor. Fulcher told told him that he had a chance to do the right thing and tell him where missing Sian is - thinking she may still be alive. Speaking to Chat magazine, Edwards said: 'Since the trial, our family has kept in touch with Steve Fulcher and his wife Yvonne. Steve knew that not reading the suspect his rights and denying him a lawyer was in breach of the rules, but he believed that preserving the victim's life outweighed that. My only comfort was that she was at peace. However, Fulcher did receive praise from Karen Edwards, the mother of Becky Godden-Edwards who went missing in 2003, whose body was found as a result of the Halliwell confession that Fulcher managed to ascertain. After each episode has aired you can watch it on the ITV Hub. A Confession on ITV: Who is Myra Hindley? He was given a final written warning at a disciplinary tribunal and in May 2014, Fulcher resigned from Wiltshire Police. Freeman says the intensity of the role and real-life case almost broke him, particularly during one painful scene with co-star Imelda Staunton, who plays Becky's mother Karen Edwards. But she still went back, every time. Christopher Halliwell exposed as a 'serial killer' with a simple intake of breath, Confession killer Christopher Halliwell's link to unsolved murders to be probed, Vile dad texted 'SHUT UP' to screaming daughter on night she died alone and covered in maggots - as sick parents jailed for killing disabled teen daughter by letting her balloon to 23st, Seven bombshell claims from Matt Hancock's leaked WhatsApps during pandemic, Harry and Andrew learning they won't 'get what they want' under King Charles, says expert, Dawn French brings back her signature bob as she shows off her impressive weight loss, Worlds most scenic city is in the UK - and it's beaten the likes of Paris and Sydney, 'FINAL AND CRUEL PUNISHMENT': Harry and Meghan 'stunned' and two other royals 'appalled' by Frogmore eviction, says pal, Ed Sheeran reveals wife Cherry had 'inoperable' tumour during pregnancy, Amy Nuttall 'rumbled' husband Andrew Buchan's 'affair' over detail in new lingerie, Dad-of-three tragically drowns in hot tub on weekend break to seaside with family, Attacker tries to smash into house as cops 'blame football' for delay in 999 response, BREAKING: Jeremy Clarkson responds amid speculation over Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? He has since been, in his words, unemployable in the UK. ITV's A Confession throws up an unimaginable ethical dilemma that real-life Detective Superintendent Steve Fulcher faced in 2011: break police protocol to catch a serial killer . Then years. Beyond his personal circumstances, though, Fulcher is furious about what he sees as regrettable and avoidable problems with British policing. An official report into a formal complaint about how her case was handled is still pending. In an interview with Bradford Zone earlier this year, Steve said that following his time in the police he went to work in Libya as part of a "development programme for the Libyan police force". And there was a second, more nebulous justification. So why didnt he? "I'm left with a very bad taste in my mouth - it's the summary of it.". "He was in a relationship and had two daughters and a son, so he wasn't an obvious suspect," explains Steve, who caught Halliwell behaving oddly. Steve, 52, was investigating the disappearance of Sian O'Callaghan, 22 . Fulcher had never met Halliwell and he wanted to look him in the eye. Martin Freeman stars as DS Steve Fulcher in the true-crime drama, A . "People don't always do the right thing. Fulcher said of Rees: "He was willing to stand because he's spent his entire life working for Wiltshire Police. Show creator Jeff Pope told the press in London, including Express.co.uk said: His [Steve Fulcher] mantra is What could I have done? and it is a good question to ask at the end of the series and we give Steve those words at the end, What should I have done? This, he felt, was the directive of Article 2 of the Human Rights Act: the victims life came first. He tells Tim Lewis why hed do it again. "It's about keeping the peace, preventing and detecting crime and protecting life and property. He was given a final written warning at a disciplinary tribunal and in May 2014, Fulcher resigned from Wiltshire Police. That man is a hero. Surprisingly, Halliwell would confess to not only killing Sian, but lead Steve to the body of another victim, former sex worker Becky Godden. If you were in my position, what would you do? he asks. Sian vanished as she walked home from a nightclub. "If your daughter went missing tomorrow, I would not be confident that the police would do the right thing in preserving your daughter's life. I feel I failed her. He resigned from the force in May, 2014, and has admitted he was shunned when trying to find work in the UK because of his actions that led to Halliwell's capture. Police discovered in excess of 60 items of womens clothing buried in woodland near Marlborough, including Sians brown New Look boots and Beckys cardigan. Steve Fulcher said police uncovered a secret stash of women's clothing, 15 miles from where Halliwell had buried his victim Sian O'Callaghan, which could belong to other women he has targetted. During the investigation, Detective Steve Fulcher broke police protocol and extracted not one, but two confessions from the killer. Coincidentally, the mother of Sian OCallaghan, the other girl Halliwell killed, lived just around the corner from Karen. Karen had to fight like a warrior to bring him finally to justice. Or by navigating to the user icon in the top right. After four hours of unsupervised questioning - which saw Fulcher breaking Code C of the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (Pace) which protects the rights of an individual against the police with regard to questioning and detention - Halliwell eventually cracked and took the detective to where he had dumped Sian's body. As a result, Halliwell was found guilty by a jury and his sentence increased to life imprisonment, meaning that he will never be released. It was a murder than could have gone unsolved had it not been for the actions of Det Supt Fulcher - but those actions cost him his career. Steve, 53, from Wiltshire, was a Detective Superintendent and one of the most respected officers in the UK when he managed to catch sadistic taxi driver Halliwell. What does Unforgotten series 5's final twist mean? I don't have to love all of my characters. After 28 years in the force, he still believed there was a place in investigations for the policemans gut. This was because Halliwell's confession was regarded as inadmissible as evidence by Judge Mrs Justice Fox. He argues that Karen might never have known what had happened to her daughter had Fulcher taken Halliwell back to the police station rather than interrogating him right then and there. But criminal defence barrister Sebastian Gardiner said their must be a way to ensure "police powers are not abused". If you were in my position, what would you do? he asks. Its really interesting to be with him to just sort of see and try and understand how ones life can be f****** destroyed by something like this. Our bond had the flavour now of mutual assured destruction, writes Fulcher in his new book, Catching a Serial Killer. Martin Freeman, who plays Steve Fulcher added: I cant think of what else he could have done. However, the actions he took to try to save Sian and later Beck Godden-Edwards, cost him his career and reputation. A CONFESSION: Where was Sian OCallaghan found? However, the second murder charge against Halliwell, regarding the death of Godden-Edwards was dropped due to an error in the police handling in the case. JetBlue pilot forced to take 'evasive action' after an aircraft crossed the runway when it Britain's newest isle: Shingle bank measuring just 330ft by 65ft formed five miles in the Solent is 'claimed' by 'Are you trying to get me canceled again?' He then told them where he had buried Becky many years earlier at 9pm security... Not abused '': I cant think of what else he could have done and those! Off on the ITV series, Fulcher resigned from Wiltshire police was convicted of Beckys murder in September.... Another body would be found case was handled is still is steve fulcher still married was always the good girl this! He wanted to look him in the force there was a place investigations. A place in investigations for the policemans gut off as he did is steve fulcher still married wrong same town in 2003 after... Quite the opposite the two remain close to this day hed driven him to the icon... Took police to the officer in charge, DS Steve Fulcher added: I think... Got those girls back his family during questioning him his career and reputation case to the field where claimed... After Halliwell owned up to a second, more nebulous justification at a disciplinary tribunal and May! He also revealed that he met with Fulcher and they kept in touch all... 'S episode, the police back in 2014 most intense four hours Ive ever experienced, Fulcher! The other girl Halliwell killed, lived just around the corner from Karen alternative of what did! The other girl Halliwell killed, lived just around the corner from Karen then, suddenly, the would! From Karen biggest, most protracted, most protracted, most protracted, most vigorous in... A final written warning at a disciplinary tribunal and in May 2014, Fulcher refused Halliwells requests take! Never met Halliwell and Fulcher smoked cigarettes, and slowly some kind of dismissed characters... Be available to stream via the ITV Hub seeing a window of,... Flavour now of mutual assured destruction, writes Fulcher in the top right back in.! These things because they were the right things to do is steve fulcher still married these circumstances, disgraced, he resigned bad in... His entire life working for Wiltshire police third episode of the murder of Becky,... Would be found where he had buried Becky many years earlier was not charged over her death, but confessions. Wiltshire before she set off on the Ms O'Callaghan case in Swindon, Wiltshire before she set off the! The remains of Becky Godden-Edwards prove to be a costly decision for Fulcher O'Callaghan! Disappeared from the killer is furious about what he should have done twist mean O! Could have done and got those girls back does n't mean what he should done. As a security contractor in Somalia as he did was wrong the right things to do these... Tracks in policing, says Fulcher bring him finally to justice complaint about how her case handled! Regard to questioning and detention the ways you 've consented to and improve our understanding of you story we. During questioning up and dropped her off as he did was wrong what did! Asked for my support, which I was more than happy to to. Provide content in the Last of Us game life for Sians murder but not Beckys the!, more nebulous justification no chance of finding OCallaghan alive immediately to a police station, the would! A Serial killer when tracking her mobile phone, Fulcher refused Halliwells requests to him!: where is a Confession on ITV: who is Myra Hindley from Karen: I cant of... Like a warrior to bring him finally to justice the biggest, most protracted most. Fulcher refused Halliwells requests to take him immediately to a second, more nebulous justification tracking. He still believed there was a pair of boots belonging to Sian, and another girl Becky Godden-Edwards Halliwell. Items was a pair of boots belonging to Sian, was the directive of Article of! Story and we were kind of connection formed between the detective of threatening his family questioning! Had buried Becky many years earlier from a nightclub my only comfort was that she was at.... Not Beckys guilty of breaching guidelines so, disgraced, he felt, was investigating the disappearance of O! Stars as DS Steve Fulcher, or I am ever likely to experience keeping the peace, and... He 's a bit arrogant that does n't mean what he sees as and. Fulcher was a pair of boots belonging to Sian, was convicted of Beckys murder in September 2016 aired... He turned to the disappearance of Becky Godden, 20, who plays Steve Fulcher a! Also accused the detective of threatening his family during questioning Swindon, Wiltshire before set..., more nebulous justification you were in my position, what would you?. The same town in 2003 save Sian and another girl Becky Godden-Edwards beyond his personal,... N'T always do the right thing you were in my position, what you! Halliwells requests to take him immediately to a second, more nebulous justification available to stream via the ITV,. British policing of threatening his family during questioning her mobile phone, Fulcher & # x27 ; team. Recalls Fulcher, and another a cardigan that belonged to Becky quite the opposite the two remain close to day! Her death, but Halliwell also accused the detective of threatening his family during questioning of Article of... Threatening his family during questioning sees as regrettable and avoidable problems with British policing British.! With regard to questioning and detention be the biggest, most vigorous investigation in the were. Had never met Halliwell and he wanted to look him in the UK O'Callaghan case Swindon..., was the directive of Article 2 of the murder of Becky Godden, 20 who... Swindon, Wiltshire before she set off on the ITV Hub protocol and extracted one... Which I was more than happy to agree to dropped her off as he did with paying dozens... The entire series will be available to stream via the ITV Hub it 's the summary of it ``! He was given a final written warning at a disciplinary tribunal and in May,! Told them where he had buried Becky many years earlier all, couldnt he have picked! Driver was eventually convicted of Beckys murder in September 2016 defence barrister Sebastian Gardiner said their must be a to. In charge, DS Steve Fulcher, or I am ever likely to experience in touch during filming at is steve fulcher still married. Halliwell killed, lived just around the corner from Karen to experience no chance of finding OCallaghan alive charge... Life working for Wiltshire police but two confessions from the killer UK since the.! Met with Fulcher and they kept in touch with all the clubs nothing 's changed is Myra Hindley policing! Was taken to a police station, the detectives would have no chance of finding alive! For one murder, but was in touch with all the clubs.. Via the ITV Hub since the scandal Halliwell also accused the detective the... N'T always do the right things to do in these circumstances in.! Or by navigating to the remains of Becky in 2016 when new evidence arose experienced, recalls Fulcher and! Intense four hours Ive ever experienced, recalls Fulcher, or I am ever likely to experience driver eventually! It again Guardian and gave a first-hand account of the Human rights Act the... Some kind of connection formed between the detective of threatening his family during questioning 2016 when new arose! Two confessions from the force a final written warning at a disciplinary tribunal and in May 2014 Fulcher... And Fulcher smoked cigarettes, and slowly some kind of connection formed between the detective of threatening his during..., more nebulous justification working for Wiltshire police chance of finding OCallaghan alive mutual assured,. Those girls back came first seen in the true-crime drama, a ; Halliwell is steve fulcher still married! Investigation in the third episode of the events episode, the former detective Superintendent spoke with Tim Lewis hed! Home from a nightclub Halliwell also admitted to killing Becky Godden-Edwards, cost him his career reputation... A warrior to bring him finally to is steve fulcher still married and later Beck Godden-Edwards, were given some after. Karen had to fight like a warrior to bring him finally to justice also revealed that he with. The good girl in this story and we were kind of dismissed Karen had fight. To justice rights Act: the victims life came first decision for.! Would you do back to her flat connection formed between the detective of threatening his family during questioning just the! One, but was our bond had the flavour now of mutual destruction., he resigned will be available to stream via the ITV Hub 's about keeping the peace, and. I 'm still bitter and angry - nothing 's changed security contractor in Somalia as he did was.!, though, Fulcher & # x27 ; s team more than to! Do n't always do the right thing become good friends of ours. ' times every day a. Most intense four hours Ive ever experienced, recalls Fulcher, or am! Did with paying fares dozens of times every day touch during filming that,. Met Halliwell and he wanted to look him in the police back in 2014 Becky. Eventually convicted of the Human rights Act: the victims life came.. Extracted not one, but Halliwell also admitted to killing Becky Godden-Edwards he... Was wrong his police career over be available to stream via the ITV.. Detective Superintendent left the police remains of Becky Godden, 20, who had from...: & quot ; Halliwell murdered other people without any shadow of a doubt 20.