Son of a convicted killer rejected for police role despite barely knowing his father

18 July 2008
London Evening Standard

The son of a convicted killer has been turned down for a job with the police. Nick Tighe is the son of Ronald Castree, jailed last November for the murder of schoolgirl Lesley Molseed in 1975.

Mr Tighe, 29, aspired to become a police community support officer or a detention officer with Greater Manchester Police. But he was told his application wouldn't be processed. Police say they don't automatically bar the relatives of criminals from employment.

Mr Tighe, from Rawtenstall, Lancashire, has complained 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 he's urging others who may have had a similar experience to come forward in a bid to raise awareness and fight for change. He currently works supporting people with mental health issues. 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 he issue the with Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith. She said:

"It is not fair for him to be discriminated against for something his biological father did, not least because he had no real relationship with him."

Mr Tighe's father Ronald Castree, 54, was jailed for a minimum of 30 years last November for the murder of 11-year-old Lesley Molseed in 1975. Lesley Molseed went missing in October 1975 and was found dead having been sexually assaulted and stabbed 12 times. '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.