There had been a few multiple murders of children in wooded areas that have carried the name from the old children`s tale. There was the Cannock Chase murders in the mid 60`s of three young girls, in which Raymond Morris was convicted of two of them. There was another around 1970 that was investigated by Leonard "Nipper" Read, of a small boy & girl but failed to find their killers. This double murder took place in october 1986, when two nine year old girls, Nicola Fellows & Karen Hadaway, were found strangled in the Wild Park area of Brighton. Suspicion quickly fell on a young man, Russell Bishop, and he was charged with two counts of murder. Evidence was that a sweatshirt was found on the route that Bishop would have taken to his home. Fibres found on the shirt matched fibres on the victims. There were also Ivy spores on the shirt that matched the crime scene, but Bishop denied the shirt was his and he was acquitted by a jury.
Now we move forward to February 1990, and Bishop is arrested for the abduction, molestation and attempted murder of a seven year old girl. In December 1990, Bishop is jailed for a minimum of 14 years, and of 2007, was still in jail. That tells you loud and clear that Bishop had a thing about hurting young girls, but despite changes to the double jeopardy law after 800 years, in 2005, it was felt there was insufficient evidence to charge him with the murders of Karen & Nicola. Of course, the change of this law had its critics, notably the wankers at Liberty, citing innocent people could be jailed. Well, the tabloids screamed for this law to be changed in order to charge Colin Stagg, but as it is now known, the real killer of Rachel Nickell was Robert Napper. I have not come across anything from Liberty screaming from the rooftops about the Police, led by Keith Pedder, and the honey trap, concocted with the help of Paul Britton, about the attempts to get Stagg say "I did it" by any method possible. On this point, their mouths have remained firmly shut.
The people of Brighton organised a protest march about the failure to catch a heinous child killer, but will the killer ever be apprehended by modern and advanced forensics, is open to debate. Bishop was cleared of their murders and is therefore innocent, unless evidence is provided to say otherwise.
Sunday, 18 May 2014
Saturday, 17 May 2014
Horace "Big Mac" McKenna
Big Mac was a larger than life character who was involved in running a string of successful strip clubs in Los Angeles, from the latter part of the 70`s until his demise in a burst of machine gun fire, in 1989. Horace McKenna, a native of New Orleans, stood 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighed around twenty stone - nearly 300 pounds, and had spent some years as a member of CHP - California Highway Patrol, working with his much smaller partner Michael Woods. He was an avid bodybuilder, and not somebody you would have forgotten very easily. He was busted over some charges with a few others and spent a couple of years inside. Upon his release, he decided to open up a strip club - as a cop he would have been familiar with these joints - but his record would have prevented him getting a licence. So he turned to his old CHP buddy, Mike Woods, and persuaded him to come in with him. McKenna was basically the muscle and could easily sort out any trouble in the club - The Jet Strip - with Woods handling the management and books. The club was a runaway success, so they opened a string of clubs throughout the Los Angeles County area, which brought untold wealth.
The difference between the two was vast. Mckenna, big, mean, in your face, the life and soul of the party, buying a lush spread in the Brea area, where he kept exotic animals, and Woods, quiet & unassuming, enjoyed staying with his family, and stayed mainly in the background. For more than a decade, life could not get better, but as is the case, cracks started appearing in the relationship between the two. McKenna indulged in Cocaine, which, let's face it, changes your personality. Woods had hired a guy who had arrived from England, Dave Amos, who was in his early twenties, beefy, and was hired as a bouncer. He became friendly with one of the dancers that had been seeing Big Mac, and Big Mac did not like it all. There were heated moments between them, so Amos hired a man to watch his back, John Sheriden. He befriended him after Sheriden frequented the bar. He was a chronic drug abuser. There was talk of an investigation into the financial affairs of Woods & McKenna, which resulted in them blaming the other for skimming from the clubs. Big Mac lived very lavishly. A claim was made that Big Mac threatened to rape the daughters of Woods, another that he struck Woods after an argument. Things were about to explode.
In the early hours of March 9th 1989, McKenna was being taken by limousine to his home by driver Bob Berg. As he got out to operate the gates, a blast from a machine gun ripped into McKenna, who was sat in the back. He was struck by 20 rounds. He was 46 years old. Hundreds attended his funeral. Cops could not get anywhere with their investigation and it ran cold for nearly a decade. In 1997, 26 year veteran of the force, Rick Morton decided to give the case another go but he too, ran into a wall of silence. Then unexpectedly, a couple of years later, John Sheriden walked into the station and confessed to the killing. He claimed that he had turned over a new leaf, found religion and was haunted by what Bob Berg had told him were McKenna`s last words "Tell my mum I love her!"
He laid out the whole story that he was hired by Amos to kill McKenna but took a couple of months to decide to do it. He wore a wire which helped snare Amos, so he in turn, wore a wire to ensnare Woods. He was duly arrested. Amos & Sheriden agreed to testify and received 20 years each for manslaughter, whereas Woods was convicted and sentenced to 25 to life. Opinions on forums vary greatly about McKenna. Some say he was a great friend, a generous man who would help anybody, whilst others have said he was a nasty bully that intimidated people all around. Best thing to say is "You Decide!"
The difference between the two was vast. Mckenna, big, mean, in your face, the life and soul of the party, buying a lush spread in the Brea area, where he kept exotic animals, and Woods, quiet & unassuming, enjoyed staying with his family, and stayed mainly in the background. For more than a decade, life could not get better, but as is the case, cracks started appearing in the relationship between the two. McKenna indulged in Cocaine, which, let's face it, changes your personality. Woods had hired a guy who had arrived from England, Dave Amos, who was in his early twenties, beefy, and was hired as a bouncer. He became friendly with one of the dancers that had been seeing Big Mac, and Big Mac did not like it all. There were heated moments between them, so Amos hired a man to watch his back, John Sheriden. He befriended him after Sheriden frequented the bar. He was a chronic drug abuser. There was talk of an investigation into the financial affairs of Woods & McKenna, which resulted in them blaming the other for skimming from the clubs. Big Mac lived very lavishly. A claim was made that Big Mac threatened to rape the daughters of Woods, another that he struck Woods after an argument. Things were about to explode.
In the early hours of March 9th 1989, McKenna was being taken by limousine to his home by driver Bob Berg. As he got out to operate the gates, a blast from a machine gun ripped into McKenna, who was sat in the back. He was struck by 20 rounds. He was 46 years old. Hundreds attended his funeral. Cops could not get anywhere with their investigation and it ran cold for nearly a decade. In 1997, 26 year veteran of the force, Rick Morton decided to give the case another go but he too, ran into a wall of silence. Then unexpectedly, a couple of years later, John Sheriden walked into the station and confessed to the killing. He claimed that he had turned over a new leaf, found religion and was haunted by what Bob Berg had told him were McKenna`s last words "Tell my mum I love her!"
He laid out the whole story that he was hired by Amos to kill McKenna but took a couple of months to decide to do it. He wore a wire which helped snare Amos, so he in turn, wore a wire to ensnare Woods. He was duly arrested. Amos & Sheriden agreed to testify and received 20 years each for manslaughter, whereas Woods was convicted and sentenced to 25 to life. Opinions on forums vary greatly about McKenna. Some say he was a great friend, a generous man who would help anybody, whilst others have said he was a nasty bully that intimidated people all around. Best thing to say is "You Decide!"
The Unsolved Murder of Brian Hardwick
When a person is shot to death, you would be thinking that there had to be a very serious motive behind it, but when no motive is apparent, it makes it very difficult for police to catch the perpetrator. Such a case is the still unsolved murder of Bradford man Brian Hardwick, who was gunned down at his place of work and the only evidence at the scene, was that of robbery. Mr Hardwick was shot twice at Huddersfield Car Electricals in Colne Road, Huddersfield, on November 21st 2001, but not found until the following day. He was seen by his colleagues washing his hands, ready to go home, but found his car had a flat tyre, so he prepared to change it. He was found the next day by the owner. Mr Hardwick had been shot twice. His wallet, a purse, a pendant & chain were missing, suggesting a robbery. His credit car had been used at an Asda ATM in Fartown, Huddersfield, shortly after, and £350 had been withdrawn. It was the only withdrawal using his card.
Mr Hardwick had previously lived in Cleckheaton, Birkenshaw, and not long moved to Wibsey in Bradford. He was 50 years old at the time. police concentrated on people seen near the garage on the day. A couple of men were seen separately hanging about. Mr Hardwick had an argument earlier that day with a man who wanted his car electrics checking without making an appointment. That is hardly a reason to shoot a man dead. And as for getting just £350 from a cashpoint, that is simply ridiculous, or is it an example of the American type of murder where you just do not need a reason, slowly emerging in this country? What about Junkies? Where would a junkie get the money for a gun? And if they did have it, that would instantly go to the pushers, ruling out that scenario. This case is one of 30 that local Police still have reviews on, but 13 years on, there seems to be no solution or closure for his family. As with my other posts on these unsolved deaths, anybody knows anything, contact the Police.
Mr Hardwick had previously lived in Cleckheaton, Birkenshaw, and not long moved to Wibsey in Bradford. He was 50 years old at the time. police concentrated on people seen near the garage on the day. A couple of men were seen separately hanging about. Mr Hardwick had an argument earlier that day with a man who wanted his car electrics checking without making an appointment. That is hardly a reason to shoot a man dead. And as for getting just £350 from a cashpoint, that is simply ridiculous, or is it an example of the American type of murder where you just do not need a reason, slowly emerging in this country? What about Junkies? Where would a junkie get the money for a gun? And if they did have it, that would instantly go to the pushers, ruling out that scenario. This case is one of 30 that local Police still have reviews on, but 13 years on, there seems to be no solution or closure for his family. As with my other posts on these unsolved deaths, anybody knows anything, contact the Police.
Friday, 16 May 2014
The Murder of Carly Bateman
This murder illustrates just how sick people can be, with twisted obsessions with very young girls. Geoffrey Porter, from Wigan, is such a man. He was convicted in 2002 of murdering 17 year old prostitute Carly, in Bolton. Porter had a long record of indecent assaults against girls aged just 8, 10 & 11. He picked up prostitute Carly, strangled her and then dumped her body in an alley. She weighed a tiny six stone and looked years younger than she actually was. It is common for very young looking hookers to become favourites of perverted punters because they feel like they are fucking a very young girl. What they truly are, is apparent to the girls, but it can be construed that if they keep these paedos happy, then they may not attack children. And no doubt they go home to an unsuspecting wife, afterwards.
Porter was trapped by DNA and fibre evidence, but proclaimed his innocence. The Judge, Justice Holland, commented on how young Carly looked and this was the reason for the crime. Carly had become addicted to - what else - but heroin, and had to get money somehow. Her mother, worried sick, travelled from her home in Doncaster, leaving money with Carly`s friends, so she did not put herself at risk on the streets. The family had moved to Doncaster, from Bolton but Carly returned to it`s streets. Porter, 41, had been evicted from his home because he was living with a prostitute, had lost his job working in a warehouse, and was sleeping in his car. Diddums! Porter was also a Mormon churchgoer, but as is seen very often, some of the worst offenders are regular churchgoers. Since when does standing in front of an altar or cross make somebody a good person. Look at Catholic priests and the abuse scandals that always arise and the sadism of Nuns, which stems from sexual repression. That commandment is always ignored; thou shalt not kill. At least Porter is no longer available to wreck more young lives.
Porter was trapped by DNA and fibre evidence, but proclaimed his innocence. The Judge, Justice Holland, commented on how young Carly looked and this was the reason for the crime. Carly had become addicted to - what else - but heroin, and had to get money somehow. Her mother, worried sick, travelled from her home in Doncaster, leaving money with Carly`s friends, so she did not put herself at risk on the streets. The family had moved to Doncaster, from Bolton but Carly returned to it`s streets. Porter, 41, had been evicted from his home because he was living with a prostitute, had lost his job working in a warehouse, and was sleeping in his car. Diddums! Porter was also a Mormon churchgoer, but as is seen very often, some of the worst offenders are regular churchgoers. Since when does standing in front of an altar or cross make somebody a good person. Look at Catholic priests and the abuse scandals that always arise and the sadism of Nuns, which stems from sexual repression. That commandment is always ignored; thou shalt not kill. At least Porter is no longer available to wreck more young lives.
Thursday, 15 May 2014
Unsolved Murder Casebook: Elsie Freeman & John Malthouse
Today i bring to you another two unsolved killings that occurred in Cambridgeshire that Police have looked at in cold case reviews. The first was of a retired but reclusive nurse, Elsie Freeman. She was found battered to death in her bedroom in March 1998. She was discovered with her feet bound. The attack took place at her home in Mill Road in Impington, Cambridgeshire, and she had lain dead for three days. Police started an investigation which included dredging a nearby pond, located off Newnham Road, but found nothing. The case went cold. The investigation was revived in a rolling review of unsolved cases in 2007 but after months of investigation, again nothing was found, and so Police closed down the case and it seems that the killer of the 76 year old, has gotten away with murder. Police originally thought that it was a burglary gone wrong, but why kill an old lady? Most burglars are young, and usually drug addicts looking to find something to sell. As with reclusive people, their properties can be rundown, so an experienced burglar should not be bothered with a rundown home but a junkie desperate for a fix....
The second unsolved death was that of a homeless man John Malthouse. Mr Malthouse lived in various parts of Cambridge, but that ended on August 22nd 1986, when he was found violently beaten to death in a public toilets in Victoria Avenue, off Midsummers Common in Cambridge. Most likely, he used the toilets for somewhere to sleep, but why should he be beaten so savagely? Did somebody find him in there and decided to use him for a bit of "sport?" Let`s face it, contrary to the bullshit spouted by whingers and apologists, there are many scumbags who are just aching to cause trouble or injure somebody, usually a weaker or vulnerable person, just to show what big men they really aren`t. A sad fact of life, and in all probability, a man is killed for no reason at all.
The second unsolved death was that of a homeless man John Malthouse. Mr Malthouse lived in various parts of Cambridge, but that ended on August 22nd 1986, when he was found violently beaten to death in a public toilets in Victoria Avenue, off Midsummers Common in Cambridge. Most likely, he used the toilets for somewhere to sleep, but why should he be beaten so savagely? Did somebody find him in there and decided to use him for a bit of "sport?" Let`s face it, contrary to the bullshit spouted by whingers and apologists, there are many scumbags who are just aching to cause trouble or injure somebody, usually a weaker or vulnerable person, just to show what big men they really aren`t. A sad fact of life, and in all probability, a man is killed for no reason at all.
Wednesday, 14 May 2014
The Mysterious Death of Freddie Mills
Freddie Mills was one of the biggest sporting heroes this country has ever produced, and certainly the most popular boxer. From honing his craft in fairground booths as a teenager to becoming the Light Heavyweight Champion of the World, he did it all. But long after his retirement, he had inexplicably been found dead in his car, from a gunshot. The official explanation was suicide but many, including members of his family, believe different. There is also a long standing claim that he was a notorious serial killer. Younger viewers would say "who is he?" others would reply, "a true sporting legend".
Frederick Percival Mills was born 26th June 1919, in Bournemouth, where he acquired his first boxing gloves as a young boy and did some sparring with his brother. It was after he left school that he started as a fairground booth fighter at age 16, taking on members of the public for a couple of rounds. This was one of the tough learning schools that numerous fighters went through, learning their trade. Heavyweight fighter Tommy Farr was another who learned in the booths. Mills had his first professional fight in 1936, and in under four years, ran up a very impressive record. Mills` style relied on punishing punches, and aggression, which meant he took quite a bit of punishment. Over the years he took on more superior opponents such as Jock McAvoy, Jack London, Len Harvey, then ran into the American Gus Lesnevich for the world title but lost. He fought Bruce Woodcock and the American Joe Baksi, then met Lesnevich again, for the world title. This time he won, and reigned from 1948 to 1950, but lost his title to the great fighter Joey Maxim. He retired from the ring.
Mills then started playing cameos in films, and was a regular on TV. He opened his nightclub "Freddie Mills` Nitespot" on Charing Cross Road. Later on, it has been said that he was in financial trouble and unsuccessfully tried to sell the club. Another problem was a newspaper story saying that some of the hostesses at the club were prostitutes, but Mills apparently had no idea of this, but mud has a tendency to stick. The Krays visited his club often, but they enjoyed being around fighters. One problem he definitely had was recurring headaches, thought to have been caused by his willingness to take punishment in the ring. Events turned on July 25th 1965, when he was found dead in the back of his car, at the back of the club. He had been shot through the eye. A rifle was found next to his body. Nipper Read investigated the case and concluded that it was suicide. Not a popular decision with many. Then all kinds of theories and conspiracies sprung up. He was killed by the Krays, was one. Would either of them fancied a straightener with him? Besides they really admired him, plus Read said they had no involvement. He crossed a Chinese Syndicate, was another. No evidence has been produced to support this. He was heavily in debt to a crime syndicate, was yet another. What crime syndicate? They must have a name.
The most outrageous(in my view) was that he was the notorious London serial killer, "Jack the Stripper" a killer of six or more prostitutes, most being murdered between 1964 & 1965. Where this sprang up from was the suspect was a former boxer who committed suicide, tying Mills in, but worked as a security guard on an industrial estate. John Du Rose was convinced this man was the killer, but his name has surfaced on the net. It was not Mills. However, a couple of books have claimed that he WAS the killer but without actual proof, this is simply speculation. People saying "I remember...." is not enough. I do not think this mystery will ever be resolved but who was "The Stripper" may yet be revealed. My money would be that it is not Freddie Mills.
Frederick Percival Mills was born 26th June 1919, in Bournemouth, where he acquired his first boxing gloves as a young boy and did some sparring with his brother. It was after he left school that he started as a fairground booth fighter at age 16, taking on members of the public for a couple of rounds. This was one of the tough learning schools that numerous fighters went through, learning their trade. Heavyweight fighter Tommy Farr was another who learned in the booths. Mills had his first professional fight in 1936, and in under four years, ran up a very impressive record. Mills` style relied on punishing punches, and aggression, which meant he took quite a bit of punishment. Over the years he took on more superior opponents such as Jock McAvoy, Jack London, Len Harvey, then ran into the American Gus Lesnevich for the world title but lost. He fought Bruce Woodcock and the American Joe Baksi, then met Lesnevich again, for the world title. This time he won, and reigned from 1948 to 1950, but lost his title to the great fighter Joey Maxim. He retired from the ring.
Mills then started playing cameos in films, and was a regular on TV. He opened his nightclub "Freddie Mills` Nitespot" on Charing Cross Road. Later on, it has been said that he was in financial trouble and unsuccessfully tried to sell the club. Another problem was a newspaper story saying that some of the hostesses at the club were prostitutes, but Mills apparently had no idea of this, but mud has a tendency to stick. The Krays visited his club often, but they enjoyed being around fighters. One problem he definitely had was recurring headaches, thought to have been caused by his willingness to take punishment in the ring. Events turned on July 25th 1965, when he was found dead in the back of his car, at the back of the club. He had been shot through the eye. A rifle was found next to his body. Nipper Read investigated the case and concluded that it was suicide. Not a popular decision with many. Then all kinds of theories and conspiracies sprung up. He was killed by the Krays, was one. Would either of them fancied a straightener with him? Besides they really admired him, plus Read said they had no involvement. He crossed a Chinese Syndicate, was another. No evidence has been produced to support this. He was heavily in debt to a crime syndicate, was yet another. What crime syndicate? They must have a name.
The most outrageous(in my view) was that he was the notorious London serial killer, "Jack the Stripper" a killer of six or more prostitutes, most being murdered between 1964 & 1965. Where this sprang up from was the suspect was a former boxer who committed suicide, tying Mills in, but worked as a security guard on an industrial estate. John Du Rose was convinced this man was the killer, but his name has surfaced on the net. It was not Mills. However, a couple of books have claimed that he WAS the killer but without actual proof, this is simply speculation. People saying "I remember...." is not enough. I do not think this mystery will ever be resolved but who was "The Stripper" may yet be revealed. My money would be that it is not Freddie Mills.
Sunday, 11 May 2014
All Things Blackpool
Having a look at searches made and logins to my blog, the name of Mitzi Walsh popped up a couple of times. I do know a bit about him, but there are things that came from my former father-in-law, as he lived in Blackpool, and knew most of the Walsh family. Many years back, he did work with one of them. He said that "They were a rough lot" (He wasn't soft either!) and that most of them worked as doormen. Mike Walsh was born around 1930/31 and according to London villain Eric Mason, around 1951/52 he had a go at three guys giving him and his wife a bit of hassle. He battered them. They in turn went to the Police and so six uniform went to arrest him and he battered them, earning him a spell in Dartmoor Prison, where he broke rocks with Mason. The next mentioning was by Tony "Gang Boss" Lambrianou, who claimed he and his brother "Took over the town" More like they ponced people around who let them get away with it. Doormen in Blackpool have always had a tough reputation, so would they allowed a couple of Londoners to "rule the roost?" I do not think so. Lambrianou talked of Mason running up a huge bill that he could not pay. The gang boss claimed that as it was not clear as to whether Mason was in with the Krays, Walsh could do nothing. The Walsh family had interests in the club they were in. More like, he wrote the bill off as Mason was an old friend.
Walsh has maintained a long friendship with Mason, throwing one party for him after he came out of prison, and probably knew most of the big villains in the North of England. There is one photo of him with Mason and Jimmy "The Weed" Donnelly. It has been said that Mason was helping him with his memoirs, which I think would be an interesting read. But my former father-in-law told me that they were not the only people around the city. There was a violent villain named Carl, who had his little mob, into all sorts. There were a couple of rough families who took no messing off anybody. But looking back at Blackpool, there was a major villain called Abe Tobias, who Frank Fraser says was situated there in the 50`s & 60`s. Then there was the former Chief Constable of Blackpool, Stanley Parr, who years later was sacked because he used his position and influence to ensure his friends never faced any charges. Glasgow Mr Big, Arthur Thompson, reportedly set up a drugs base there at the beginning of the 80`s. There was a murder of a young man on the beach in the early 90`s and a young doorman named Gary Ward was jailed for it. He pleaded guilty because he thought the person beaten to death, was a man he said he had a fight with, a quarter of a mile from the murder scene. He believes the man he gave a serious beating to, was none other than Viv Graham.
Mr Ward`s case was taken up by investigative author Steve Richards but as of yet, it is unknown if his appeal was ever allowed. At the beginning of the 70`s, a jewel robbery carried by Londoners went wrong when Freddie Sewell shot dead Superintendent Gerald Richardson(I remember this case) Sewell spent a very long time in prison. The big name Doorman in Blackpool over the last three decades is Steve Sinclair, who described his battles in his book "The Blackpool Rock" and clearly shows the level of violence that pissed up holidaymakers get up to there, and why the doormen needed to be able to handle anything. Yes, it is the "Vegas" of England.
Walsh has maintained a long friendship with Mason, throwing one party for him after he came out of prison, and probably knew most of the big villains in the North of England. There is one photo of him with Mason and Jimmy "The Weed" Donnelly. It has been said that Mason was helping him with his memoirs, which I think would be an interesting read. But my former father-in-law told me that they were not the only people around the city. There was a violent villain named Carl, who had his little mob, into all sorts. There were a couple of rough families who took no messing off anybody. But looking back at Blackpool, there was a major villain called Abe Tobias, who Frank Fraser says was situated there in the 50`s & 60`s. Then there was the former Chief Constable of Blackpool, Stanley Parr, who years later was sacked because he used his position and influence to ensure his friends never faced any charges. Glasgow Mr Big, Arthur Thompson, reportedly set up a drugs base there at the beginning of the 80`s. There was a murder of a young man on the beach in the early 90`s and a young doorman named Gary Ward was jailed for it. He pleaded guilty because he thought the person beaten to death, was a man he said he had a fight with, a quarter of a mile from the murder scene. He believes the man he gave a serious beating to, was none other than Viv Graham.
Mr Ward`s case was taken up by investigative author Steve Richards but as of yet, it is unknown if his appeal was ever allowed. At the beginning of the 70`s, a jewel robbery carried by Londoners went wrong when Freddie Sewell shot dead Superintendent Gerald Richardson(I remember this case) Sewell spent a very long time in prison. The big name Doorman in Blackpool over the last three decades is Steve Sinclair, who described his battles in his book "The Blackpool Rock" and clearly shows the level of violence that pissed up holidaymakers get up to there, and why the doormen needed to be able to handle anything. Yes, it is the "Vegas" of England.
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