INDIVIDUALS involved in the investigation of Emile Cilliers who was jailed for life after being convicted of attempted murder have been recognised at the annual Wiltshire Police Awards.

More than 100 guests celebrated the bravery, dedication and hard work of police officers, staff, volunteers and members of the public at the Wiltshire Police Awards Ceremony last week at Casterley Barn, near Pewsey.

Forty two recipients received awards on the night.

Major crime investigation team analysts Danielle Pearson and Andrew Stephenson, both pictured inset, received a chief constable’s certificate of excellence for their work on the Cilliers case (Operation Wainwright), which involved producing a detailed timeline of the communications from his phone.

The award citation said: “The accuracy and quality of this timeline was crucial in making the jury see what time of person Cilliers really was and was essential to securing the successful prosecution.”

Cilliers was jailed in 2018 after tampering with his wife’s parachute and sabotaging a gas valve at their home.

Mark Bayada, the chief instructor at the Army Parachute Association in Netheravon, who gave expert evidence in court and assisted officers during the investigation, received a certificate of recognition for members of the public for his “exceptional” contribution to the investigation.

His citation said: “As a member of the public, his contribution in this complex investigation was invaluable in helping bring Cilliers to justice.”

PC Lucy Wileman was presented with a long service and good conduct medal. She joined Wiltshire Police in 1999 and has served as a response officer in Salisbury and Amesbury. in 2007 she became the community beat manager for Amesbury Town before taking on community co-ordinator role in the town in 2016.

Tina Opie also received a long service and good conduct award. She originally joined the force in 1985 as an administrator in Salisbury before transferring to the control room in the city. During her career she worked in the Salisbury enquiry office as well as the ops planning department.

In 2011, she become operations and event planner and has been involved in planning many Royal and VIP visits to the county including Salisbury.

Chief Constable Kier Pritchard said: “I am always full of admiration for the recipients of these awards. They are brave, public spirited and extremely dedicated - whether they form part of the force or have helped us as members of the local community.

“Of note, are those from the Netheravon Army Parachute Association and the Crown Prosecution Service legal team, who greatly assisted our officers in bringing Emile Cilliers to justice – he is now serving a life sentence after he attempted to murder his wife and children and I am sure that the actions and assistance of those from the Association was crucial to us securing this conviction.”

He said: “Tonight’s ceremony highlights some of the great work going on at the force and within communities.”