THE OFFICER who led the hunt for the killer of baby Callum has left Cheshire police.

Detective Chief Inspector John Hester, who was Warrington division's Crime Manager, has been appointed a superintendent with Merseyside police in Liverpool.

DCI Hester headed the investigation to find Callum's mother after his body was discovered in a bin bag close to Gulliver's World theme park, Callands, in March.

He was also one of the many mourners to say a final farewell to the tragic tot at a special service in July at the town's parish church.

Although Callum's mother has yet to be found, DCI Hester is confident that the truth will be revealed in time.

Speaking after the funeral he said: "We are hopeful that we will find the mother in the near future. One day we will find her, of that I am confident.

"It has been one of the most disturbing cases I have dealt with during my time as a police officer because of the nature of the victim.

"He was a small, defenceless baby who didn't really have a chance of survival," he said.

The inquiry into his murder will continue and officers are still waiting for results of DNA tests which they hope could identify the mother.

DCI Hester moved to the town in 1997 after several years in the Metropolitan Police as a detective in Brixton. He will start his new job in Liverpool next week.

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