Police are punishing me over my killer dad

18 July 2008
Manchester Evening News
Simon Coyle

The son of a convicted murderer has accused police of victimising him after they rejected his job application. Nick Tighe, of Rawtenstall, was told his application to become a police community support officer or detention officer with Greater Manchester Police would not be processed any further.

His dad Ronald Castree, 54, was jailed for a minimum of 30 years last November for the murder of 11-year-old Lesley Molseed in 1975. Nick, who works supporting people with mental health issues, said: "How can I change my life when I am being restricted this way? My whole life has been turned upside down because of this man."

Nick, 29, has complained to GMP about the decision.

He said: "The murder happened four years before I was born. Why should I be penalised for it? He may be my biological father, but I have not seen him for 10 years. "Unfortunately, you can't choose who your father is. "I hate him. I want him to spend the rest of his life in prison."

Now Nick is urging others who may have had a similar experience to come forward in a bid to raise awareness and fight for change. He said: "I helped the police with their case to convict this man and this is the thanks I get. "I am on good terms with the Molseed family and Lesley's sister recently told me that my nightmare was only just beginning. She was right."

Rossendale MP Janet Anderson has pledged to raise the issue with Home Secretary Jacqui Smith. She said: "I don't think it is fair for him to be discriminated against for something his biological father did, not least because he had no real relationship with him."

A GMP spokesman said the force had a duty to carry out thorough security checks on anyone applying for a job. He said: "Criminality involving close family members is clearly an issue that has to be considered. "Applicants whose close family have criminal convictions are not automatically barred from joining."

Lesley Molseed went missing in October 1975 and was found dead having been stabbed 12 times and sexually assaulted. 'Gentle giant' Stefan Kiszko was wrongly convicted of the murder and spent 16 years in jail before being freed on appeal in 1992. He died, aged 41, in December 1993.

Castree, of Shaw, Oldham, was found guilty more than 30 years after the murder but is set to apply for leave to appeal.