Police Watchdog set to investigate Bradford manslaughter case

The police watchdog is set to investigate the way West Yorkshire Police handled the shocking case of a four-year-old boy who was left to starve to death by his mother and decompose in his cot.

Mother-of-eight, Amanda Hutton, was jailed for 15 years last year after she was found guilty of the manslaughter of her youngest child, Hamzah Khan, as well as the neglect of five of her other children.

The body of Hamzah was found in 2011, nearly two years after his death, decomposing in a cot in the family home.

During the 43-year-old’s trial in October 2013 it emerged that a number of agencies had been in contact with the family, prior to the discovery of the body.

INNOCENT: Four-year-old Hamzah Khan was found in his cot by West Yorkshire Police in 2011, two years after he was starved to death

It is reported that West Yorkshire Police had also received allegations of neglect before 2011 yet did not follow up on the complaints.

This information has led the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) to launch its own investigation into the force’s handling of the case. The IPCC also said it would look at why the case was not referred to them in 2011.

The watchdog said it contacted West Yorkshire Police after Hutton was jailed to ask about complaints the force had received.

SENTENCED: Amanda Hutton was handed a 15-year prison sentence for the manslaughter of her son and the neglect of five of her other children

IPCC commissioner Cindy Butts said: “The death of Hamzah Khan was a truly shocking example of the most cruel neglect imaginable and at the heart of it lies the loss of a young life.

“Our investigation will examine what action West Yorkshire Police took and also why the contact was not referred to us in 2011.”

Detective Chief Superintendent Andy Brennan, head of West Yorkshire Police Professional Standards, added: “West Yorkshire Police referred this matter to the IPCC in November last year and they have decided this will be an independent investigation which we will fully support and assist in any way we can.”