Parents of Jack de Belin and Callan Sinclair want police to be held to account

An internal investigation into the police involved in the failed Jack de Belin and Callan Sinclair prosecution is still running two years after the second trial ended in a hung jury, with the force refusing to comment on when an expected outcome was due.

Police involved in the failed prosecution of football star Jack de Belin and his mate Callan Sinclair remain under investigation two years after the case closed, infuriating the men’s parents who say they deserve a resolution.

After two high-profile trials, which both ended with hung juries and the charges withdrawn, NSW Police confirmed they had launched an internal investigation.

Two years later, the force is refusing to comment on an expected time for the outcome.

“This is not good enough, our lives are on hold,” said Mr de Belin’s mum Cathy this week.

Mr de Belin and Mr Sinclair each pleaded not guilty to five counts of aggravated sexual assault.

The parents of Jack de Belin and Callan Sinclair say their families need a resolution on the investigation into the police who charged their sons with sexual assault.

Phone transcripts played in court showed both men talking to family members and friends, adamant the sex was consensual. They were also recorded speaking to each other, agreeing that if they told the truth they would be fine.

Police admitted they accessed text messages and emails between the men and their lawyers which was covered by legal professional privilege. Other issues with the case are also being investigated.

Cathy and Dave de Belin, the parents of Jack de Belin.

Despite the passing of time, and pleas for information on the progress of the probe, the families still can’t get answers.

After a bureaucratic runaround, they were contacted in mid-January of this year and advised “there would now be an investigation into another officer and a misconduct investigation into the roles of two other detectives”.

“The latest update came about four weeks ago from the senior investigator advising that the officer working with him was now on leave and a new one would be joining him to complete the work,” Mrs Sinclair said.

“Obviously starting over again. Do they think that if they stall for long enough we will just give up and go away? That’s not going to happen.”

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