AN INDEPENDENT police force has been appointed to review the original investigation into a man who was found dead in a cement mixer.

Lee Balkwell, 33, was crushed in a mixing lorry at Baldwins Farm, near South Ockendon, in July 2002.

His family has always believed he was tortured, killed and thrown in the mixer by members of an organised crime gang.

Essex Police did not charge anyone in connection with his death, and concluded it was an accident.

However, last year an inquest jury returned a verdict of unlawful killing as a result of gross negligence in relation to Mr Balkwell’s death.

Yesterday (Thursday), it was announced a full review of Essex Police’s handling of the case will be carried out by West Midlands Police.

Lee’s dad, Les Balkwell, 62, from Hornchurch, said: “This is good news, as I have always said it’s important the case is reviewed by a force which is completely independent from Essex Police.

“It’s the only way we will find out what really happened to my son.”

The complaints include claims forensic evidence was not gathered, items were destroyed within days of the death, key witnesses were not interviewed, and there was interference with the crime scene, the body and the cement lorry itself.

The review by West Midlands Police will be carried out alongside an inquiry by the Independent Police Complaints Commission, looking at complaints made by Mr Balkwell’s father about the original investigation.

He said, as part of its investigations, the Commission recommended an outside force should be brought in to carry out a full re-investigation of the death.

This could potentially have led to one or more people finally being convicted of his murder He also believes the request was refused by Essex Police, who would only agree to a review of the original investigation.

He says Essex Police wanted the review to be carried out by an independent police force, in partnership with them.

However, Les Balkwell said a compromise has been reached and a review, not a full re-investigation, will be carried out by West Midlands Police, without any involvement from Essex Police.

Independent Police Complaints Commission spokesman, Rachel Cerfontyne, said: “This review will identify whether any lines of inquiry were not followed, or if any evidence was missed.”

Spokesman Nishan Wijeratne said Essex Police is unable to comment on the case, while the Independent Police Complaints Commission’s inquiry and West Midlands Police’s review are ongoing.