Family of late Melksham woman fight for justice over police ‘failings’

The family of popular Melksham woman Gail Chilcott, who died last year in a three-car collision, say they are fighting for justice after what they describe as failings by Wiltshire Police in handling the investigation. 

Gail, who was a magistrate, fostered around 60 children with her husband, Maurice, and was known in the town for her childminding work and involvement in many community groups and activities.

She was involved in a collision on the A3102 near Calne last February and died on 26th March 2024 from her injuries.

Wiltshire Police launched an investigation into the collision, but for months the family received little information. They recently learned from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) that the case had been archived because the police had not provided the necessary information.

The family are now calling for the investigation to be reopened and are preparing a formal complaint over the lack of communication and due diligence.

Gail’s daughter, Sally Watts, said the CPS email outlined repeated attempts to contact the police, but they did not provide the information needed to progress the case. “The CPS has said there is no problem with unarchiving the case; they want to prosecute but need a water-tight case,” she added.

The family say they have been left in the dark, with no police advocate since April, and have had to rely on calling 101 for updates.

Sally said, “I was so distraught with the delays. We had no victim support from the start; our family liaison officer was on long-term leave twice, and the lead investigator left the force without anyone telling us.

“Calling 101 has been the best tool we have. Every time I phoned, they acted quickly. There is now a new lead officer, and I have their email address.

“The police have failed us in their communication. Failing to communicate with others involved and failure to communicate with each other and then failure to communicate with us.

“We have been constantly left waiting and having to fight every step of the way to get any communication from them.”

To campaign for change, the family is also preparing to write to the local MP Brian Mathew.

“There are more and more accidents happening on our roads, so how many other families are going through this?” said Sally. “Not only are they grieving but they are also having to fight for justice for the loved one they have lost.”

Chief Inspector Steve Jolly of Wiltshire Police said, “Firstly, we would like to apologise for the delay in this investigation and the understandable impact it may have had on Gail Chilcott’s family.

“We can confirm that our investigation is ongoing, and we continue to work with the Crown Prosecution Service.

“We will keep Gail’s family updated as these enquiries progress.”

Pictured: Gail as a magistrate giving a graduation class of police their powers.