We always believed we would catch him

1:00pm Tuesday 20th May 2008

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THE officer leading the reinvestigation today said she was "delighted" that the victims and their families could finally see justice done.

Speaking after Young's sentencing, Det Chief Insp Rachel Farrell, said: "They have waited a long time for it.

I'm most sincerely grateful for all the support they gave to my team in this reinvestigation.

"It must have been very hard for them to have us walk back into their lives, asking them to share old and painful memories and raising their expectations that the offender might be caught this time.

"We could not have secured this conviction without their determination, no matter how painful, to see this man captured and put before the court. I admire the strength and courage they have shown."

Det Chief Insp Farrell added: "I could never comprehend that we wouldn't eventually be here at court seeing the person responsible for these dreadful crimes being sentenced.

"This has been a tough investigation and at times it seemed almost impossible to see what we could do next.

"When Young was finally arrested and charged the emotion was palpable, not only from the current team but from all those officers who have been involved in the investigation over the years.

"I feel rightly proud of what the team has achieved and the compassion and determination with which they did it.

"The police don't forget about these crimes and the perpetrators of such crimes should know we will always be working, waiting for new leads or advances in science and technology."

Detectives are continuing to investigate other historic cases - several of which show a realistic chance of prosecuting those responsible.

"We always talk about justice as bringing closure' but for victims and families who have suffered terrible crimes such as rape, but there never can be closure," said Det Chief Insp Farrell.

"What happened, and the impact it had, will unfortunately always remain with them. I hope it is some small comfort for them to know Derek Young will not be free to cause such damage to the lives of any more victims."