Friday 25 October 2013

The Muriel McKay Kidnap & Murder

This is a case I remember when I was young as it dominated the news media for months, and the fact that Mrs McKay was never found.  What happened was that the kidnappers snatched the wrong person.  The intended target was Ana Murdoch, wife of media mogul, Rupert Murdoch, but the woman taken was Muriel McKay, wife of his deputy, Alick.  The kidnappers were two Trinidadians, Arthur & Nizamodeen Hosein.  Arthur Hosein came to Britain as a tailor`s cutter, did some national service, then married a German girl named Elsa.  1967 saw him buy a farmhouse on the Hertfordshire/Essex border.  Later a plan to make money was hatched with his brother.  They decided on the owner of the News of The World newspaper, Rupert Murdoch, and followed his limousine to an address in Wimbledon.  They did not know that the Murdochs were on holiday, and the McKays were staying at his home.

    It was at 7.45pm on 29th December 1969, that Alick McKay came home to find the house in disarray and his wife missing.  He ran the story in the Murdoch newspapers, despite Police pleas not to.  He received a phone call with a male voice saying "We are mafia M3" and that they took his wife because Ana Murdoch was not there.  He demanded £1,000,000 or she died. A note was received with his wife pleading for her husband to get her released.  Alick McKay and his daughter Diane made a TV appeal to the kidnappers that they could nt get their hands on that much money.  On New Year`s Day, Mr McKay received a call telling him to get the money or else.  A doctor went on TV stating that Mrs McKay needed medication or she could die.  Mr McKay sent his friend Eric Cutler to see a Dutch clairvoyant, Gerard Croiset, who said she was being held in a place on the Herts/Essex border.  Police made searches of border areas but found nothing.

    The McKays received a call on 1st February, telling them that the son, Ian, was to put £500,000 in cases and go to a crossroads on the A10 road.  A cop went in his place but nobody showed up.  They called again on the 6th, saying that Alick & Diane were to take the train to Epping, wait for a call, then take a taxi to Bishops Stortford, leave the cases by a mini van that was parked by a garage, and leave.  Again, cops went in their place.  However, somebody not knowing about the operation, reported the cases to the Police, and a Volvo was seen repeatedly passing the cases.  A registration check led them to Arthur Hosein, owner of Rooks Farm, on the Herts/Essex border.  His fingerprints were found on the ransom demand, and he and his brother were arrested and charged.  Police scoured the farm and surrounding area for weeks, but there was no trace of Muriel McKay.

    They were put on trial at the Old Bailey on 14th September 1970.  They blamed each other.  Convicted without a body, Arthur Hosein received life, plus 25 years for kidnapping, 14 years for blackmail & 10 years for sending threatening letters.  Nizamodeen received the same sentences except for kidnapping, which he received 15 years.  It is not surprising to know that they have been out of prison for many years, which made their sentences a joke.  They have NEVER told what they did to Mrs McKay, yet a parole board gave them release!  The belief is that they killed Mrs McKay and fed her body to pigs, hence absolutely no trace.  A terrible crime and a travesty of so-called punishment.

    An update and correction to this post; Nizamodeen was released but Arthur was consistently denied parole, causing him to complain to the European Court of Criminals - Sorry Human - Rights in 1985 & 1996, dying in Ashworth secure hospital around 2009.  The younger brother was paroled whilst being allowed to remain silent about what happened to Mrs McKay.  Great `eh!  Thanks to Sublimeport for the corrections.

9 comments:

  1. Nizamodeen Hosein was let out on license and was returned to Trinidad. His brother Arthur, however died in custody at Ashworth Hospital in @2009. Arthur Hosein was never considered for parole and for this reason he made appeals to the European Court of Human rights in 1985 and 1996. It is absurd that neither of the brothers have been required to reveal to the McKay family what happened and how Muriel was killed.

    http://www.hertsandessexobserver.co.uk/News/Bishops-Stortford/Writers-appeal-over-landmark-Stocking-Pelham-murder.htm

    http://lovdata.no/static/EMDN/emd-1995-026293.html

    http://eu.vlex.com/vid/hosein-v-the-united-kingdom-27421970

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    1. Hi there, Sublimeport. thanks for your correction. I thought they had been both released. I cannot understand how one was considered for release when they both were culpable. Arthur Hosein`s name never seemed to crop up when Ashworths infamous were named. I will update my post. Thanks again, daryl

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  2. Love your comment - "European Court of Criminals" but a better name would surely be "European Court of Criminal Rights" - a fu**ing travesty. I have been fascinated by this case ever since I saw a t.v. documentary many years ago when I was a kid. The part about the clairvoyant is scary!

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  3. Hi Paul, thank you for your comments. I remember this case totally dominating the news, occasionally the odd mentions or documentary about it shows up. I actually hate this ECHR as it seems they are saying that victims are entitled to be victims, but we must not maltreat the scumbags. What a triumph for law & order! Thanks again, daryl

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  4. How can one access the trial documents?

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    1. Hello Victoria, the only answer I can think of, is to enquire with the National Archives, as all documents from trials and police cases, end up there. But be prepared to be told that there may well be an extended closure on the documents. This does not imply anything sinister, but even old obscure cases have closure for any period up to 100 years!! Give it a try anyway. Regards Daryl

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  5. Thank you Daryl. I shall try.
    You know Nizamodeen is still alive and living here in Trinidad.
    Any extra info that you have, I would love to see it.
    This case happened before I was born, but I'm fascinated by it.

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    1. Hello again, Victoria. The only other information I have post-conviction is that Nizamodeen was actually severely beaten up in prison by a man I have just put up a post on, and that was "King Squealer" Mo O`Mahoney. He says that he only attacked him the once but it was before he turned informer. other than, I have no more. Thanks again, Daryl

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  6. Thank you Daryl. I will look at your post on "King Squealer" Mo O'Mahoney.

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