Tyla

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Not now
OK
Advert
Advert
Advert

'Five Mistakes That Caught A Killer' Looks At Chilling Case Of Ian Huntley

Rachel Andrews

Published 
| Last updated 

'Five Mistakes That Caught A Killer' Looks At Chilling Case Of Ian Huntley

Featured Image Credit: Channel 5

A new Channel 5 documentary will take a deep dive into the chilling case of Ian Huntley, who killed two young schoolgirls almost two decades ago, and how he very nearly got away with murder.

The tragic murders of school girls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in August 2002 has stuck in the minds of the British public ever since.

Loading…

The 10-year-old girls left home to buy sweets and were never seen alive again, sparking one of the biggest man hunts the country has ever seen.

Advert

Former school caretaker Ian Huntley was sentenced to life in prison in 2003 for murdering the children after luring them into his home in Soham, Cambridgeshire.

Credit: Channel 5
Credit: Channel 5

And new show 5 Mistakes That Caught A Killer will look at how he could have walked free if it wasn't for five 'errors' he made which secured his prison sentence.

He was convicted alongside girlfriend Maxine Carr, who was found guilty of conspiring to pervert the course of justice - she was a teaching assistant at Jessica and Holly's school, but wasn't present at the time of their murders.

Advert

Describing the documentary, a spokesperson explained: "Their first error was talking to the media. When Huntley's TV interviews were shown in his home town of Grimsby, people came forward to reveal his murky past.

Huntley was convicted of murdering the girls. Credit: PA
Huntley was convicted of murdering the girls. Credit: PA

"Huntley also switched off one of the girl's mobile phones, triggering a signal to a telecoms mast.

"And, he used his own car to transport their bodies to a remote field, later returning to the scene to remove the distinctive Manchester United shirts both girls were wearing-only to hide them in a place where they could be found by police."

Advert

Other errors include asking a police officer how long DNA lasted rousing suspicion, and getting new tyres put on his car to cover his tracks.

Those involved in the show were all involved in the original inquiry, including former Detective Chief Superintendent Chris Stevenson, who put Huntley behind bars.

Carr was also convicted for perverting the course of justice. Credit: PA
Carr was also convicted for perverting the course of justice. Credit: PA

Stevenson gives his first interview since the trial in the Channel 5 documentary.

Advert

Without Huntley's own mistakes, Stevenson believes the killer could have been convicted of manslaughter rather than murder, and could be walking free today.

Ian Huntley: 5 Mistakes That Caught a Killer is on Channel 5 Thursday, 23rd May at 10pm.

Topics: TV News

Rachel Andrews
More like this
Advert
Advert
Advert

Chosen for YouChosen for You

Entertainment

Rihanna shares plans for baby number three with A$AP Rocky

15 hours ago

Most Read StoriesMost Read

Rebel Wilson opens up on losing her virginity at age 35 as she says others 'shouldn’t feel pressured'

a day ago