Raymond Morris arrest officer brands whole-life ruling a disgrace

Then aged 23, she played a pivotal role in the investigation that led to the eventual arrest of notorious child killer Raymond Morris, dubbed the Cannock Chase Murderer.

Today Miss Freeman reacted angrily to the landmark legal ruling by the European Court of Human Rights that means life can never mean life anymore for killers.

Whole-lifers should be entitled to a review of their sentence 25 years into their term at the very latest, the Grand Chamber of the Strasbourg-based court said.

Miss Freeman branded the ruling a disgrace and said it showed total disregard for murder victims and their families.

Morris, a divorced father-of-two who used to live in Green Lane, Walsall, was given a life sentence for the murder of seven-year-old Walsall schoolgirl Christine Darby in 1967.

The 83-year-old is also the prime suspect in the killings of schoolgirls Margaret Reynolds of Aston, Birmingham, and Diane Tift from Bloxwich, although he has always maintained his innocence over the decades. All three were abducted, raped and murdered, and their bodies were found on Cannock Chase.

Under the new European ruling Morris will be able to make a bid for freedom.

Miss Freeman said: "When I read in the Express & Star about this European ruling I was totally shocked. I don't know what these people are thinking. What about the victims' human rights?

"These people should never be allowed out. I can't imagine what the families are going through. It shows a total disregard for murder victims. It's a disgrace.

"If I hear on the news that Morris intends to appeal through the European court, I'll be really angry."

Miss Freeman joined the police force in 1965 at the age of 21, fulfilling a life-long ambition.

She continued: "I'd gone through all my training at the police college in Coventry and I was still in my probation period when the first body was found in 1967.

"I heard from a senior officer that a little girl had been found dead. It all happened very quickly after that. A team was brought together and murder headquarters was set up in New Penkridge Road which I was chosen for. Scotland Yard was called in and it was the biggest manhunt at the time. I had leave for a two-week holiday, which I had to cancel. It was exhausting."

Miss Freeman and her colleagues had to man the phones and take calls from members of the public, as well as taking hundreds of statements. She was also tasked with carrying out searches on Cannock Chase. She added: "Morris went through the system four times. His wife kept giving him an alibi. We even went over to Wales to speak to one of his relatives to find out more about him.The investigation went on for 18 months until he was caught.

"When we heard he had been arrested we just collapsed with relief. I was then chosen to go to Stafford Crown Court for the trial. I have never seen a man with such cold and calculating eyes. I'll never forget his face."

Morris was found guilty of the rape and murder of Christine in November 1968 and sentenced to life. In November 2010 the former engineer was granted a judicial review of the refusal of the Criminal Cases Review Commission not to refer his case to the Court of Appeal in a bid to overturn his conviction.

However, it was rejected and Morris later indicated that he had abandoned any further appeal.

Miss Freeman, aged 69, remained in the police force for around eight years as an officer until she moved into social services.

She is now a district councillor with Cannock Chase Council and lives in Park Road, Cannock.