Glittering Prizes

1997:
Billie Jo Jenkins murder is investigated by Detective Superintendent Jeremy Paine.
1998:
Conviction of Siôn Jenkins. Jeremy Paine becomes Head of Sussex Drugs Squad.
1999:
Jeremy Paine becomes a Crimewatch presenter and a media celebrity.
January 2000:
First appeal dismissed. Jeremy Paine is the star of ‘Trail of Guilt’, a BBC film glorifying Sussex Police’s conviction of Siôn Jenkins.
July 2000:
Jeremy Paine speaks about the case at a Forensic Science Society conference with three pathologists (whose evidence was later discredited at Appeal).
2001:
Jeremy Paine leads the Sarah Payne investigation.
2001:
Jeremy Paine becomes Head of Sussex CID.
2002:
Jeremy Paine launches the Child Rescue Alert initiative after visiting California to research a similar operation.
2002:
Jeremy Paine is called in to advise on the Millie Dowler case.
2002:
Jeremy Paine becomes Head of Sussex Police Crime Management Department
2003:
Jeremy Paine speaks at a Forensic Science Society conference on How the media affects the Criminal Justice system.
2004
Jeremy Paine, Chief Superintendent, in charge of Operation Otter.
2005:
Jeremy Paine becomes Divisional Commander, Brighton.
2006:
Jeremy Paine becomes Assistant Chief Constable for Sussex and Vice Chair of the Sussex Criminal justice Board.

Over these years Siôn Jenkins—who did not kill Billie-Jo—has suffered great losses, while Jeremy Paine’s gains have been many.

Meanwhile, Billie-Jo’s killer remains undetected.

One man’s cloud has certainly been another man’s silver lining.