Police apologise after proceedings against DJ Jonathan King stopped

Police have apologised for serious failings in their investigation into disgraced DJ Jonathan King after the collapse of his trial.

There will be no further action against King and he will not be re-tried over alleged historical sex offences.

The 73-year-old, of Bayswater, had denied 23 serious sexual assault charges against boys aged between 14 and 16, alleged to have taken place between 1970 and 1988.

The trial collapsed in June and it has been confirmed that the proceedings against King will not continue.

King, an ex-pop star and producer for acts including Genesis, was released from jail in 2005 after serving half of a seven-year jail term for abusing underage boys between 1983 and 1989.

The former Genesis producer was previously found guilty at the Old Bailey in 2001 of sex offences against five youngsters aged 14 and 15.

In a statement after the recent proceedings were stopped, Surrey Police said: "We are aware of the ruling at Southwark Crown Court by Her Honour Judge Taylor to stay proceedings against Jonathan King in relation to allegations of non-recent sexual offences.

"We recognise that there were serious organisational failings in the investigation, particularly in relation to disclosure process and we will continue to study the Judge's ruling in detail."

The force said it has been a complex investigation running over several years and involving an "enormous" amount of data and documentation, adding: "When the issues relating to disclosure became apparent we, with other members of the prosecution team, worked tirelessly in an effort to correct these errors.

"We deeply regret that despite these efforts we did not meet the required standards to ensure a fair trial.

"As a result, the evidence will not be tested by a jury and neither the complainants' nor the defendant have their voices heard in court. For this we wholeheartedly apologise.

"We recognise that for policing nationally, and at a local level, it is vital that we get disclosure right in order to ensure both the integrity of the criminal justice system and public confidence."

The force said it is commissioning an independent review of the investigation.

A spokesman for the Crown Prosecution Service said: "During the trial the police made us aware of issues with their handling of disclosure in the case.

"We asked the court to dismiss the jury and worked with the police to remedy this ahead of a retrial.

"We appreciate today's decision will be upsetting for the complainants and will contact them to explain our decision not to appeal the ruling.

"While we are satisfied the CPS handled the disclosure process appropriately and robustly in this case, there is an unprecedented focus from police and prosecutors to drive improvements in this area."

Birds solicitors, who represented King, said: "This case is yet another example of failings in the disclosure process. The judgment of the court sets out the detail of those failings which the judge described as a 'debacle'.

"It should be of great public concern that the numerous shortcomings in the disclosure process would not have been discovered but for the determination of the defence team.

"We have long expressed concerns about this investigation which we consider lacked sufficient objectivity and was run entirely contrary to the recommendations of the Henriques Report. Those concerns are vindicated by this judgment."

The CPS said King originally faced 24 charges, but one was dropped.