✍ Why detective who caught Milly Dowler killer is re-examining murder of reclusive millionaire author

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He’s the famed ex-detective who caught Milly Dowler’s murderer and the Night Stalker rapist, one of Britain’s most depraved sex attackers.

Now Colin Sutton has turned his attention to a controversial murder case that led to two secret trials and claims of a miscarriage of justice.

The former senior Met Police officer was involved in the early stages of the investigation into the killing of reclusive millionaire author Allan Chappelow in 2006.

Chinese dissident Wang Yam was convicted of the murder in 2009 despite evidence against him being, in the words of the court, “entirely circumstantial”.

Yam, who was widely reported to be an MI6 informant, continues to protest his innocence from behind bars – and questions have been raised about his conviction since his trial.

Mr Sutton has now re-examined the case in his Sky Crime series The Real Manhunter – one of 10 investigations he retraces as the programme returns for a second season.

The former detective chief inspector tells Sky News that reviewing the Chappelow murder case has given him “the opportunity to look at aspects of the evidence and the investigation, of which I was previously unaware”.

What happened to Allan Chappelow?

Author Allan Chappelow was an expert on the playwright George Bernard Shaw and found success in the 1960s but had become reclusive in his later years
The 86-year-old millionaire was bludgeoned to death in his crumbling home in Hampstead, northwest London, in May 2006
His body was found more than four weeks later buried under about five feet of paper, curled up in a foetal position, partially burnt and covered in wax
The discovery led to the arrest of Wang Yam, a Chinese dissident, on suspicion of the murder
A court heard Yam – who had sought asylum in the UK – spent a month cloning Mr Chappelow’s identity using documents from the house but attempts to get cash failed when his Chinese accent alerted bank staff
But while there was circumstantial evidence to tie him to the crime, there was no forensic evidence linking him to the murder scene
At the start of Yam’s Old Bailey trial, the judge ordered that part of his defence evidence be heard in camera – meaning it would be closed to the public and the press – ‘in the interests of national security and to protect the identity of a witness or other person’
Yam denied murder and a jury failed to reach a verdict at his first trial. However he was convicted at a second trial in January 2009 and given a life sentence with a minimum term of 20 years
Author and journalist Duncan Campbell believes Wang did not have a fair trial, telling the Guardian in 2018 there was evidence that ‘would almost certainly have led to his acquittal’
This included that a neighbour of Mr Chappelow had faced burglary and murder threats when Yam was in custody and that the victim had been a frequent visitor to a gay cruising spot of Hampstead Heath
Yam lodged an appeal with the European Court of Human Rights, arguing his 2009 trial was unfair, but that was dismissed by seven justices in January 2020
It was the latest in a string of failed legal bids by Yam, which included a Court of Appeal ruling in 2017 that upheld his conviction

‘A really evil, calculated killer’

Having re-examined the case, Mr Sutton says he has “no doubts” about the identity of Mr Chappelow’s murderer.

“I think it was a sound and solid conviction for a really evil, calculated killer who was out to make money and solve his debt problems,” he says.

“I think the evidence that Wang got and used (Mr Chappelow’s) cards and effectively stole his money was pretty overwhelming.

“The degree of planning, and the method and process by which the crime was accomplished, leaves me with very little doubt at all.”

Asked whether the secret element of the trial may have fuelled beliefs that there had been a miscarriage of justice, Mr Sutton replied: “Quite possibly so.

“It was a remarkable thing from a legal history point of view to have a murder trial conducted in secret.

“That was because of the nature of his defence and the fears that it would be detrimental to national security if it was held in public.

“It’s another layer of intrigue to what is, in any case, a very interesting investigation.”

It was reported earlier this year that Yam had given information about telecoms giant Huawei to a parliamentary committee while serving his prison sentence for murder.

Mr Sutton says: “It shows the kind of circles in which he mixed and it shows there was certainly something to his knowledge.

“There’s no doubt he was well-connected through his family to the Chinese Communist Party and had some knowledge of affairs over there – it doesn’t mean to say he didn’t commit the murder.”

‘Levi Bellfield – never believe a word the man says’

Mr Sutton’s work to catch serial killer Levi Bellfield – who murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler – and the Night Stalker rapist Delroy Grant was portrayed in the ITV drama series Manhunt, starring Martin Clunes as the detective chief inspector.

In recent months, Bellfield has purportedly confessed to the notorious hammer murders of mother and daughter Lin and Megan Russell 26 years ago, and requested a prison wedding.

Mr Sutton – who came face-to-face with the killer after his arrest – says Bellfield is “unfortunately quite keen at getting himself into the headlines”.

“Every time he does I have to switch my phone to silent because the world and his wife are trying to call me to talk about it,” he adds.

“In some ways I kind of take a step back from it.

“The best rule of thumb when dealing with Levi Bellfield is never to believe a word the man says.”

Mr Sutton says Bellfield’s request for a prison wedding “seems bizarre” for “somebody who was so violent towards women, has killed women, (and) was entirely misogynistic for his entire life”.

“I think he likes to keep himself relevant,” he adds.

“I’m not sure it will pan out in the way we might think it might.”

‘Heartily sick’ of partygate

Mr Sutton says a third series of The Real Manhunter could move away from murder cases but there is one investigation he won’t be re-examining – the Met’s partygate probe.

“I’d want to keep as far away from partygate as I possibly could,” he says.

“I think like many people, I’m heartily sick of it all.”

Read more:
Detective who caught Milly Dowler murderer reveals ‘tricks’ police used in battle with killer
Levi Bellfield may have committed more murders, says ex-Met Police detective

Mr Sutton adds: “I take a great interest in serious crime and how it’s investigated. I’ve got friends and indeed family still within the police and I keep in touch with what goes on in that way.

“I’ve got the upmost respect – the job is more difficult these days than it ever was.

“Those who carry on doing it just have my admiration and respect.”

Met Police controversies

The Metropolitan Police has faced a series of recent scandals including the conviction of officer Wayne Couzens for the murder of Sarah Everard and evidence of misogyny and discrimination within its ranks.

But Mr Sutton, who retired from the Met Police in 2011, believes cultural problems within the force had improved over his 30-year career.

“The Met that I left in 2011 was nothing like the Met I joined in 1981,” he says.

“There’s always room for improvement. Police officers are taken from society and society has these elements of sexism, homophobia and racism sadly within it.

“I think the answer to it is not for people to send emails from on high.

“The actual answer is at the working level with the first and second line supervisors – the sergeants and the inspectors – there needs to be leadership there.

“You can’t show leadership sitting behind a desk on a computer. You have to be there with the people to do it.

“I think that’s the shift in managerial culture that will be needed to promote the change in actual culture.”

Mr Sutton says he hopes the new series of The Real Manhunter – which features the first murder case he worked on as a detective inspector in 1992 – showcases “just how good police can be in serious crime”.

He adds: “There are lots of reasons for that – reassuring people and, I suppose, waving the flag slightly in what are difficult times for the police.”

The Real Manhunter series 2 launches on Sky Crime and streaming service NOW on 13 June.

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