Kester David's burnt body was found under a railway arch in July 2010.

Family accuse police of racist ‘cover-up’ over Wood Green man’s death

by Tim Lamden Saturday, July 14, 2012
7:00 AM

The family of a Wood Green man found burnt to death in 2010 have accused the police of “covering up” his alleged murder in a bungled investigation they believe was motivated by racism.

The body of Kester David, who lived in Russell Avenue, was found under a railway arch in Palmers Green on July 7, 2010.

Police concluded that he had committed suicide but his family insist he was murdered, possibly in connection to his work as a police informant.

The Metropolitan Police ordered a review of the original Enfield Police investigation following a complaint from Mr David’s mother Winifred Griffith over the conduct of the investigating officers.

The subsequent internal report by Insp Brian Casson, filed in January, was leaked in April and revealed a “catalogue of errors” from the two detectives working on the case which amounted to “a failing in duty”.

But it has been now revealed police ordered a second review of the original investigation, carried out by Det Supt Keith Dobson from Enfield Police, for the benefit of the family.

He concluded that there was nothing which would have “altered the ‘course and direction’ of the original investigation”.

Mr David’s brother Roger David-Griffith slammed his review as a “cover-up”.

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said the investigation into the family’s complaint “has not been completed” and that “no disciplinary action can be taken” until the latest investigation into the case, now being treated as murder, concludes.