THE INVESTIGATION into the attack on Henry Webster was one of the largest inquiries undertaken by Swindon police.

As she concluded more than a year of work for senior investigating officer Sgt Mark Wilkinson and his team, Judge Hagen congratulated the officers on all their hard work.

"It seems to me only right that I should say one or two things about the police investigation," said the judge.

"The police work on this case has been admirable.

"Many of the defendants were arrested within half an hour of the attack being concluded and a vast number of witnesses and statements were taken.

"Det Sgt Wilkinson was the only police officer on the case of any experience.

"The other members of his team were very inexperienced in dealing with an incident of this nature.

"Despite that they fulfilled their respective duties with great dedication.

"Each of them, in my view, is to be commended for the dedication shown to conduct this inquiry."

Relieved that the mammoth case was finally over Det Sgt Wilkinson said outside court: "Thirteen young men have been sentenced for the roles they played in the assault on Henry Webster.

"This reflects the seriousness of the offences and should be a warning to people who commit such offences that they will not be tolerated.

"The whole team has worked incredibly hard and our thoughts, at this time, are with the Webster family."

During Operation Dakota, the police contacted almost 1,000 people, more than 600 statements were taken, more than 500 objects exhibited as evidence and 40 prosecution witnesses called during the trials.

Amjad Qazi, Nazrul Amin, Roubel Meah, and Mahbub Ali were all arrested in Salisbury Street within half an hour of the attack.

During the next three weeks, Kamran Khan, Faran Yaseen, Aqduss Rauf, Bilal Yakub and the four juveniles were arrested.

Forensic examinations were used to prove that blood on clothing worn by Wasif Khan belonged to Henry Webster.

Fingertip searches of the cars and homes of the defendants were also carried out.

Mobile phones belonging to each of the defendants were sent to the Forensic Science Service in London for electronic data examination.

And records of the calls were used in court to prove that the attack was orchestrated by mobile phone calls and text messages.

9:28am Saturday 10th May 2008

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