MISSING INACTION

02-01-2007

The Stirrer's boy in blue, retired copper John Mellor, reports on the strange disappearance of a suspect in one of Britain's biggest robberies.

Amid all the Christmas festivities you may have missed this story, but it's a real scandal - 46 year old Sean Lupton, who'd been arrested in connection with the £53 million Securitas robbery in Tonbridge has gone missing.

Detective Inspector Tony Hubbard said Mr Lupton's family and friends had not heard from him for more than a week.

He said: "This is out of character and we would appeal for anyone who knows where he is or has seen his white van to contact us as soon as possible."

Lupton is due to answer police bail in February and Kent Police have launched a missing persons appeal.

Given that the case is now active it would be unwise to speculate on the possible reasons for his disappearance - and the bottom line is that we simply don't know where or why he has gone.

But the real question is this. Given the scale of the crime he was accused of, why was Sean Lupton out on bail in the first place? This is the legal system at its very worst.

Here was a man accused of a serious charge - conspiracy to commit robbery - who should surely have been detained until the outcome of his case.

It might seem harsh to lock up a man for months if he hasn't been convicted of a crime - but just look at the alternative. It's not only Sean Lupton who's gone missing - so too has justice.