Yeovil murder victim's body not found despite police tip off
Mr Wheeler, who was last seen alive on the day of the police's first tip-off and visit, was murdered by his friends Mark Roberts and David Garland after they mistakenly believed he was a paedophile.The defendants had read news coverage of a man with the same name, who was jailed in 2003 for grooming and sexually abusing two 13-year-old girls, police said.Mr Wheeler had no convictions for child sexual offences, and was only 16-years-old in 2003, police added.Mark Roberts, 39, of Juniper Close in Yeovil, Somerset, and David Garland, 40, of no fixed abode, were sentenced to life in prison in June.
The IOPC investigation, which comes after a mandatory referral from Avon and Somerset Police, said an officer spoke to the man outside the property, who said he lived at the address and refused to let them inside.They later received anonymous information about a dead body at the same address, suggesting the man had been murdered two or three weeks before."Inquiries were carried out, but police were unable to locate a body," the report said.Several arrests were later made, including the man who was initially visited by the officer and a short time later a body was found.The IOPC said it concluded its investigation in March and is in the process of informing the people involved of the outcome.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
3 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Police clash with protesters as hundreds of far-right supporters and counter-demonstrators confront each other
Police clashed with demonstrators at a far-right protest in as rival groups faced off. Hundreds gathered outside Manchester Piccadilly station in Manchester on Saturday as supporters of far-right group Britain First prepared to march into the city. The rally saw crowds waving Union Jacks and St George's flags as they lined the streets. But they were met by counter-protesters organised by Stand Up To Racism, who staged a demonstration opposite the anti-immigration group. Manchester City Council said Greater Manchester Police had a 'robust operational plan' in place to manage the protests, with a focus on public safety and maintaining order. The council said a number of 'regular' protests are also expected on Saturday, adding some 'may occur across multiple locations in the city centre'. MANCHESTER: Protesters clash with police during a far-right protest MANCHESTER: Some demonstrators were arrested by police MANCHESTER: Crowds were meeting outside Manchester Piccadilly railway station before a planned march towards Manchester city centre MANCHESTER: Hundreds gathered in Manchester city centre as far-right demonstrators confronted counter protesters MANCHESTER: Leader of Britain First Paul Golding, pictured, at the Britain First March MANCHESTER: Counter protestors also showed up in Manchester today MANCHESTER: In total, hundreds of people packed Manchester city centre MANCHESTER: A group of protesters are seen holding St George and Union Jack flags MANCHESTER: The far right protesters were confronted with counter-demonstrators Police lined up to separate the two groups during the protest in Manchester Greater Manchester Police said in a statement: 'We respect and facilitate the right to lawful protest. 'As ever, appropriate plans will be put in place with the organisers and local partners to minimise disruption for those who live, work, and visit our city centre.' This is not the only demonstration happening this week. As previously reported, anti-migrant demonstrators faced off against anti-racism counter-protesters this evening outside a hotel on the south coast used to house asylum seekers. Protesters gathered outside the Royal Beach Hotel in Southsea, Hampshire, on Friday waving flags and calling for the hotel's closure. Anti-migrant demonstrations have taken place across the South of England today, in locations including Portsmouth, Southampton and Bournemouth. All the protests are taking place at locations where the government are housing migrants while their asylum applications are processed. SOUTHSEA: Protesters wave flags as they call for the Royal Beach Hotel to be closed to asylum seekers SOUTHSEA: Anti-migrant demonstrators face off against protesters from Stand Up to Racism outside the Royal Beach Hotel in Southsea, Hants, this evening, Friday 1st August 2025. SOUTHSEA: Counter-protesters from Stand Up to Racism Portsmouth staged an event at the same location 'to show friendship and solidarity with refugees' In Southsea, counter-protesters from Stand Up to Racism Portsmouth staged an event at the same location, holding signs reading 'Refugees welcome'. The day of protests on the south coast follows similar recent unrest in Epping, where a series of demonstrations have taken place calling for the closure of The Bell Inn, a hotel used on and off for the last five years as accommodation for asylum seekers. A ring of steel was also erected around The Britannia International Hotel, a luxury four-star lodging in London's Canary Wharf that has been converted to house migrants, following sweeping protests. An Epping-style protest to stop migrants being housed above a town's shops took to the streets on Wednesday in Waterlooville, Hampshire - as thousands of locals warned of 'mayhem' if the plans go ahead.
BBC News
3 minutes ago
- BBC News
Newport Commercial Road disorder sees seven men arrested
Seven people from Newport have been arrested in connection with a report of "violent" disorder in the city on Friday afternoon, police have confirmed. Gwent Police officers were called to Commercial Road after a group of men were seen fighting at about 15:20 men aged 25, 28, 33, 40, 42 and 52 and one 17-year-old boy who are all from Newport remain in of the men were discharged from hospital after receiving treatment, while two others remain there. Gwent Police Ch Supt John Davies said: "We will not tolerate anyone who acts in such a violent way on our streets or exposes members of our communities to such a horrific level of aggression when they go about their daily business."Violence in any form is completely unacceptable and we have acted decisively in making these arrests; anyone else who is found to be involved in this violent disorder will also be dealt with."
BreakingNews.ie
3 minutes ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Murdered mother and children ‘together and finally safe'
A murdered mother and her children are 'together and finally safe', their funeral has heard. Crowds flooded into the Co Clare village of Barefield for the funeral of Vanessa Whyte, 45, and her children James Rutledge, 14, and Sara Rutledge, 13, who died in a shooting at their home in Maguiresbridge, Co Fermanagh. Advertisement Many of the mourners wore GAA jerseys and bright colours as requested by the family as they lined the main street to watch the three hearses pass by. Vanessa Whyte and her children Sara Rutledge and James Rutledge died following a shooting in Co Fermanagh (Handout/PA) Those in attendance at the funeral at the Church of the Immaculate Conception on Saturday included a representative for the Taoiseach Micheál Martin and GAA president Jarlath Burns. Delivering the eulogy, Ms Whyte's sister Regina said they have been robbed of their loved ones. 'Vanessa, James and Sara were taken from this world in a cruel and vicious manner – there are no words available to express how this has impacted our family and their friends,' she said. Advertisement 'We as a family have been robbed of both a relationship with our sister and a chance to see James and Sara grow up, and they have been robbed of the remainder of their lives. 'It has taken us 11 days to be in a position to have Vanessa, James and Sara back to Clare. Crowds turned out for the service (Noel Sweeney/PA) 'This was supposed to be a joyous occasion where Vanessa would see her new nephew, and Sara and James would meet their baby cousin for the first time. Instead we are in the position of choosing coffins, final burial places and funeral hymns. 'For us as a family, the only comfort we have is that Vanessa, James and Sara are together and finally safe. Advertisement 'Vanessa will have her children at either side of her forever, as they were when they were alive.' She described her sister as 'witty, bright, kind and determined', and said James and Sara were the 'focus of her world'. She recalled James's love of the GAA, playing both hurling and football, and also cricket, adding he has been acknowledged as the 'kind, bright, determined teenager we as a family know so well'. 'James's smile was infectious, and his loyalty was strong,' she said. Advertisement GAA President Jarlath Burns attended the funeral (Noel Sweeney/PA) Sara was remembered as having a deep love for animals, and aspiring to follow in her mother's footsteps to become a vet, as well as loving sport. 'She was an excellent hurler, a footballer and skilled at netball. She was a team player, a quiet leader, and like every sister, never let James away with anything,' she said. Amazing Grace and Somewhere Over The Rainbow were among the music played during the service. Bishop Ger Nash, Bishop of Ferns and a family friend, described heartbreak over the 'tragic and unspeakable loss of three lives with so much to give to the world'. Advertisement Delivering the homily, he said every story and shared memory since their deaths 'reminds us of the irreplaceable part they played in the lives of their families, their community, their schools, workplaces, teams and clubs'. 'The tragic events of last week, and the ripping away of three people from their family and friends leave us searching for answers and coming back again and again to the only answer that is completely true: 'We don't know',' he said. Members of the St Joseph's Doora-Barefield GAA Club formed part of the guard of honour (Noel Sweeney/PA) He noted messages of condolences for the mother and her children including from neighbours, but also many from those who simply described themselves as 'A Waterford Mammy', 'A Cork Granny', and 'A Wicklow Mother'. 'There were some with both dads and mams mentioned, but there were many where a woman spoke from her own heart,' he said. 'They don't know you, nor you them, but they know your story, and if they hug their teenagers more tightly and call a ceasefire in the perpetual war about tidy rooms, then they have learned that life is precious, and we must be grateful for every day given to us and to those we love. 'Over and over, I could see that women and mothers, as individuals, reached out in their shock and sadness at the loss of a mother and children, but also conscious that there were heartbroken mothers left behind. 'The messages highlighted the vulnerability of women to pain inflicted by others and were signs of solidarity in the face of that pain.' Last week crowds also turned out for Ms Whyte, James and Sara for a service of removal in Maguiresbridge on Wednesday. Agricultural contractor Ian Rutledge, 43, who died on Monday, is understood to be the only suspect in the shooting of his family. Police in Northern Ireland have said a triple murder and attempted suicide was a line of inquiry. Ms Whyte, James and Sara are to be buried together in Templemaley Cemetery later.
