Brits furious after hearing police officer’s remark about murderer in custody

Channel 4 viewers aren't impressed with comments made by a cop on 24 Hours in Police Custody.

The second part of the show's 'Murder on Camera' episode aired last night (9 January), which featured chilling interviews with two stone-cold killers that left a lot of Brits quite unnerved.

But it's something else that really got under their skin - take a look here:

The latest instalment of the documentary series followed the police investigation into the murders of Adam Fanelli and Patrick Howard in Houghton Regis, Bedfordshire, on 13 November, 2022.

Cops were able to identify their killers thanks to CCTV footage and assistance from the local community who were rocked by the events which unfolded in front of a pub after a baby shower.

Fanelli, 39, was tragically stabbed to death, while Howard, 27, was stabbed and run over by a car, with two men jailed for life for the crime.

The latest episodes of 24 Hours in Police Custody featured police interviews with Anthony Bennison, who was convicted of two counts of murder, and Nicholas Papworth, who was cleared over the death of Fanelli but found guilty of murdering the younger victim.

A third man, Mason Jordan, was severely injured after also being stabbed, and prosecutor Simon Denison KC said the men convicted of murder 'both used their cars as weapons' in the crime.

Channel 4

Bennison stabbed Fanelli twice in the chest, injured Jordan by stabbing him and then stabbed Howard in the neck before Papworth drove over him.

Brits said they 'felt sick' after watching the moment the crime was committed, while being stunned by the behaviour of Papworth while he was being grilled by officers - who kept saying 'no comment' and stared blankly at the police.

The killer mainly spoke to DC Jacob Hobday, who described the crime as one of 'rage and hatred'.

"At the end of the day the evidence speaks for itself, but in a scenario where a person's going 'no comment' and refusing to talk to you it becomes even more of a game where what they don't say speaks quite loudly," the copper said.

But the custody sergeant seemed to take pity on Papworth despite his stony-faced demeanour and said that 'it's a shame' that he was in the cells as he 'seems like a nice guy'.

He had explained that he wanted to be granted bail so that he could see his teenage daughter who had been placed in foster care, which he was obviously not eligible for.

Channel 4

The custody sergeant later shared their thoughts on the circumstances of the case with a colleague, saying: "You know, it's a shame. It's a shame actually.

"I accept what he's done, as in what the allegation is and potentially what the evidence shows.

"But it just appears like it's a moment of madness - an extended moment of madness, but like a switch that's just gone.

"Because he actually seems like a nice guy."

Channel 4 viewers weren't impressed by the officer's controversial stance and took to X to share their grievances.

One social media user commented: "'He actually seems like a nice guy', from the same officer who was 'bro' and 'mating' him last night. What an abhorrent insult to the victims and their families.

"He’s a thug. He’s a criminal. He’s not your mate. He’s not your bro."

Another wrote: "The copper on 24 Hours In Police Custody saying she thinks Nick Papworth is actually a nice guy because he got sad about his daughter going into care… you’re in the wrong job.

"Even the worst person in the world is nice to somebody. Naive way of thinking."

A third fumed: "'He seems like a nice guy.' 'If I could bail you I would.' What a f***ing idiot."

And a fourth added: "Sorry but this desk sergeant is a p***k. 'He seems like a nice guy, 'if I could bail you, I would', he’s just run over someone at 60mph.

"How’s about you watch the CCTV and then tell the victims' families 'he seems like a nice guy????'"

LADbible has contacted Bedfordshire Police for a comment.