Crimewatch Episode 6 - Broadcast date: 20th December 1984

 Progress Report

120 people had called in regarding Shelley Morgan murder. Morgan is alleged to have been seen getting on 354 bus at Bedminster and getting off at Long Ashton. She was seen speaking to a man in a blue van who may have offered her a lift. Police were now looking to trace the driver.

In the case of the Shropshire Battering Ram Raiders, two men claimed to have seen one of the lorries used leaving the auction in Chelmsford. It was accompanied by a blue Ford Escort with a green passenger door.

Police were appealing for more information on Brighton Bombing. They were looking for anybody with information 'Roy Walsh' (nb. this turned out to be a pseudonym used by real bomber, Patrick Magee)

John Speed Murder

Investigating Officer: John Conboy, West Yorkshire Police

On 31st October 1984, police were called to reports of two men acting suspiciously around a park in Leeds. When police approached the men, PC John Thorpe was shot by one of the men before PC John Speed was murdered in an execution style. The men fled the scene and one man stole a blue van. A high speed chase ensued across the area before the man escaped on foot.

The men involved had been linked to two robberies in the area.

Status: Solved

Career criminal David Gricewith was adjudged to have been John Speed's killer following his death in 1986. He died during another attempted robbery and another high speed chase. His shotgun went off accidentally, shooting him in the face.

His accomplice Paul Guest was cleared of Speed's murder but sentenced to seven years in prison for conspiring to rob a Post Office in January 1988.

https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/news/crime/tribute-to-sergeant-john-speed-30-years-after-fatal-shooting-in-leeds-centre-1831322

Halifax Evening Courier, 27th January 1988

Incident Desk

Barbara Pinder Murder

76 year old Barbara Pinder was murdered inside her home in Battersea on 28th October 1984.

She had been stabbed 45 times and was badly beaten. Three workmen had been seen entering the building in which she lived on the morning of 28th.

Status: Unsolved

One man, David McKenzie, was convicted of Ms Pinder's murder in 1990. However, this was overturned in 1992 when it was found McKenzie was a serial fantasist and could not have committed the crime.

https://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/8128555.mystery-surrounded-battersea-pensioners-inquest-25-years-ago/

Moston Rapist

An eleven year old girl was raped outside Moston Youth Centre on 21st November 1984. The man was wearing a long blue anorak.

Status: Unknown

Last update found was that police were scaling back their investigation due to lack of information coming forward.

Middleton Guardian, 1st February 1985

Buckinghamshire Burning Body

A burning body was found in woods near Denham in Buckinghamshire. The police were looking to find the car belonging to the victim, a red Colt Mirage.

Status: Solved

The body was identified as 33 year old Harbaksh Singh Gill. He had been murdered by his father-in-law Hardev Singh Grewal and Harminder Singh Khaira. The killing was revenge for Gill raping Mr Grewal's 18-year-old daughter.

Mr Grewal and Mr Khaira both received life sentences for the murder.

Southall Gazette, 5th July 1985

Fur Coat Theft

30 fur coats had been stolen from a furriers in Wilmslow, Cheshire.

Status: Unknown

Bedgebury Forest Body

Investigating Officer: Peter Spittles, Kent Police

A body found in Bedgebury Forest in Kent in October 1979. The woman had been beaten beyond recognition and police had never been able to identify her. They had determined she was around 30, a non-smoker who likely lived in the country. She was found to have had an ectopic pregnancy but police believe she already had at least one child. A dress she was wearing had been altered and had been made from material usually used in curtains.

Status: Unsolved

The body has never been identified but a man, Harry Pennells, was charged with the murder.  Pennells admitted to having picked up a hitch-hiker in the area but denied the murder. He was acquitted in 2000.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/778172.stm

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/news/the-unsolved-murder-of-sex-worker-who-was-found-in-forest-268317/

Photocall

Terry Smith and John Kendall

Prisoners Terry Smith and John Kendall had escaped custody while being moved to a new prison in Surrey.

Status: Solved

They were recaptured in June 1986 after robbing a security van. Smith was sentenced to 16 years in prison for armed robbery while Kendall was given 21 years.

Kendall would escape prison a second time in December 1987 with convicted murderer Sydney Draper. A helicopter was used to lift them from Gartree prison in Leicestershire. Kendall was recaptured in January 1988 while Draper was on the run until February 1989.

Surrey Mirror, 4th August 1988

Wolverhampton Express and Star, 1st February 1988

Portsmouth Evening News, 25th February 1989

Alexander Hamilton

Conned people out of money telling them he could get them tickets on a cruise, including an 86 year old woman from Worthing from whom he'd taken £1200.

Status: Solved

It was revealed in the January 1985 edition of Crimewatch, that police had been called to a guest house while the show was still on the air and arrested Hamilton. He was charged with obtaining money by deception.

Austin John McCormick

Austin McCormick was wanted in connection to the murder of Liverpool newsagent William Osu in 1982.

Status: Solved

McCormick was cleared of Osu's murder in June 1986.

Dennis Kelly had already been convicted of the killing. Kelly was given a life sentence but was later released on parole with a lifelong licence. This was revoked in 2006 when he was wanted in connection with running a cocaine drug ring. He was sentenced to 27 years for drug offences and the life sentence was re-imposed for murder of William Osu.

Liverpool Echo, 13th June 1986

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/liverpool-drug-kingpin-dennis-kelly-3352979

Yvonne Coley Murder

Investigating Officer: Roy Taylor, West Midlands Police

Sex worker Yvonne Coley's murdered body was found on 25th May 1984. She was last seen getting into a car at 11.45pm. She may have had multiple clients that evening. The 28-year-old mother of two from Birmingham was found underneath a hedge outside Cocks Moor Woods Golf Course. She had been strangled with her own bra.

A blue van had been spotted cruising the area in which Coley worked, looking to pick up prostitutes. The van was spotted again later on near the golf course.

Status: Unsolved

Though it is widely believed to have been the work of 'Midlands Ripper' Alun Kyte, no direct evidence was found to link him to Yvonne Coley's murder.

https://crimeimmemorial.com/2024/09/15/yvonne-coley/

CRIMEWATCH RE-WATCH LINK: https://youtube.com/live/pC5rsTLO1is