Policeman arrested on suspicion of faking car crash to cover up 'murder'

Sunday May 24, 2009

Murder' policeman held on suspicion of faking car crash
Claire Howarth; Policeman arrested on suspicion of faking car crash to cover up 'murder' A young policeman has been arrested o

By By Nigel Bunyan

Martin Forshaw, 26, is now being questioned about how PC Claire Howarth, 31,

spent her final moments.

Miss Howarth, a "future high-flier" with Greater Manchester Police,

was found lying critically injured in the wreckage of a BMW in the early

hours of the morning.

The vehicle appeared to have veered off the road and struck a tree in

Tottington, near Bury, Greater Manchester.

Paramedics lifted Miss Howarth from the wreckage and took her to hospital

suffering from severe head injuries. She died a short time later.

Mr Forshaw was also in the vehicle but suffered only minor injuries.

Traffic investigators initially treated the incident as a normal road

accident. However, they are understood to have become suspicious about the

extent of Miss Howarth's injuries.

Mr Forshaw, who serves with the neighbouring Cheshire Constabulary, was

arrested on suspicion of murder and taken to a local police station for

questioning.

It is understood that his girlfriend was found in the driver's seat of the

car. However, detectives are investigating whether she had been behind the

wheel at the time of the impact.

Last night the dead officer's colleagues praised her as a future star of the

force. "Claire had only recently joined, but from everything we'd seen

of her she was destined for a bright future," said one.

Miss Howarth, who was based at Rochdale police station, lived with Mr Forshaw

in a modern house a short distance from the scene of the crash.

Last night both their home and those nearby were sealed off as forensic

officers carried out a detailed search.

A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "We can confirm that the

woman who died in Bolton this morning was a serving GMP officer.

"At 2.25am police were informed by the ambulance service that a silver

BMW had left the road on Tottington Road, Harwood.

"The driver, a 31-year-old woman, was taken to the Royal Bolton Hospital

with a serious head injury and later died."

The spokesman added: "An investigation has been launched to establish how

the victim sustained her injuries and the possibility she was attacked

before the road traffic collision.

"A 26-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of murder and remains

in police custody for questioning."

PC Howarth had recently been praised by the mother of a 12-year-old victim of

bullying.

The unnamed woman told a police magazine how the officer called at their home

shortly after her daughter had been beaten up.

She said: "She has a wonderful way with children and made her feel

totally at ease. She advised her of a few self-defence methods which have

given her the confidence to play out again.

"I can't thank PC Howarth enough for all she has done and I would just

like you to know that my family and friends feel that she is a total credit

to your force. We feel privileged to have people like her out there looking

after us.

Copyright:Telegraph Media Group Limited 2009