Durham detective receives national recognition

A Durham detective has received national recognition for her investigation into a catalogue of cruelty against three children.

DC Claire Errington was honoured for her inquiry which led to a County Durham woman being jailed for six years after being found guilty of 11 counts of cruelty.

Her partner was found guilty of one count of cruelty after taunting a child.

Durham Constabulary said the woman's campaign of abuse took place over six years.

When one of her victims threatened to tell the local authority the 33-year-old threatened the child and said they would be killed.

The abuse came to light when one of the woman's victims fled her care and was picked up by police.

A paediatrician who subsequently examined the child said that in 31 years working in child protection, he had never seen so many marks and scars on a teenager.