AN INVESTIGATION putting the turbulent lives of Trowbridge murderers Timothy Seviour and Jason Lee under the microscope could be completed by September.

Childcare organisation NCH was recruited by Wiltshire Social Services last May after the brothers murdered mother-of-two Lizzie Cooper.

Officers have been examining how social services dealt with allegations of sexual abuse made in 1996 by Lee, now 23, against his legal foster father and former gay lover Kevin York.

Mr York, 35, of Longfield Road, was injured in the double knife attack at his home.

Police and child abuse charity NSPCC investigated his relationship with Lee six years ago, despite the allegations being withdrawn, but found no evidence of a sexual or abusive relationship.

The handling of this investigation by social services is now under the spotlight and NCH officers are expected to reveal their findings by the autumn.

A Wiltshire County Council spokesman said: "The findings will show if there are any lessons we can learn from how we dealt with both brothers.

"If there are any changes to be made to our policies, they will be carefully considered.

"They are obviously two very damaged young people."

A former barmaid at Trowbridge nightclub Terry's said she knew the killer brothers back in 1997.

Speaking of how both boys, then teenagers, came into the club regularly with Mr York, the 35-year-old mother said she is desperate to know the outcome of NCH's investigation.

She said: "Jason and Kevin used to often come in the club together. Jason was always kicking off and getting violent and it was Tim who had to calm him down.

"He used to get so drunk and be practically falling over. Most of us knew him as Giles.

"I want to know why they did what they did.

"Tim used to look after my children, I never would have imagined he could murder someone. He always seemed more mature and responsible."

Lee and Seviour were sentenced to life imprisonment last month at Bristol Crown Court for the murder of 23-year-old Lizzie Cooper and the attempted murder of Kevin York.

Judge Maurice Kay labelled them as "savage and brutal murderers" for the horrific slaying of Miss Cooper, who was stabbed 26 times with a machete and a chef's knife.