Shocking crimes in the UK — 'solved' and unsolved

As a man is questioned about the shocking double murder of two unarmed policewomen in Manchester, we should not forget there are plenty of other evil, or just plain sick people out there.

Shooting two unarmed policewomen in cold blood may be as low as it gets, but it is a crime that a rational person can understand. Career criminal holds grudge against the police and decides to get even. But what sort of person could batter an old lady to death as she lay in bed, or feed a bottle of bleach to an eleven month old baby? In April this year, Emma Winnall, who was over 90, was attacked in her own home as she lay in bed. Among the injuries inflicted on her was a partially severed finger, not apparently with the intention of removing a ring. The victim died in hospital four weeks later. In spite of an appeal, a fresh televised appeal and a £10,000 reward, there has apparently been no progress made towards catching her killer(s). A big crime story last year was the apparent poisoning of a number of saline ampoules at Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport. It was feared that a serial killer was on the loose, but following the arrest of Staff Nurse Rebecca Leighton and the arrest of another suspect after the charges against her were dropped, the story fizzled out. From the beginning the authorities were curiously reticent about the case, and it is not unlikely there will be a further development years down the line when the truth will at last be revealed. Alexander Litvinenko was a former Russian agent who was murdered in London in November 2006 in bizarre circumstances, poisoned with a radioactive isotope. If some sources are to be believed there is no mystery about the identity of his killer. The murder has caused a certain amount of friction between the UK and Russia. Now it has finally been announced there will be an inquest into his death early next year. Finally, what sort of sick person walks into a fast food restaurant where a mother is dining with her 11 month old baby and gives the child a bottle containing bleach? This is what happened to Samantha Cherry and her son. Their story made the front page of the Bromley News Shopper this week. Elaine Joyner, a 53 year old woman from Deptford, who has already appeared before Bromley magistrates, will make a further court appearance, at Woolwich Crown Court tomorrow. The baby's grandmother, Samantha's mother was present at the scene and appears to have saved the day, if not her grandson's life. He was treated in hospital and discharged the same night.