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Just before the defence opened its case, Hanratty changed part of his alibi. In August 1961, 22-year-old Valerie Storie and 36-year-old Michael Gregsten were the victims of James Hanratty in the notorious 'A6 Murder'. Bedfordshire Police is appealing for witnesses and dashcam footage. The car Gregsten and Storie had been using at the time of the attack, a grey four-door 1956 Morris Minor registration 847BHN, was found abandoned behind Redbridge tube station in Essex later that evening. He certainly didn't know what he alleged that Mrs Gregsten was the prime mover in commissioning the murder. The man tied Storie's hands behind her back with Gregsten's tie and then saw a duffle bag containing some clean clothing. In police line-ups, Storie did not recognise Alphon, but eventually identified Hanratty. Despite being pilloried by the media, Valerie Storie withdrew from the limelight and tried to live a normal life. Historical-Meal-5525 2 yr. ago. ;Picture taken at home of Mrs. Janet Gregston with her two sons Anthony 3 and Simon (9) 1961. House-to-house inquiries have also been carried out. Make an enquiry and our team will be get in touch with you ASAP. Private detectives tracked down a Mrs Grace Jones, a landlady with a guest house which had a green bath in the attic as described by Hanratty. This was the beginning of the crime which would see Michael murdered and Valerie raped and shot before being left at Deadman's Hill on the A6. When this evidence went to court in 2002, proving Hanratty's guilt beyond any doubt, reporters once again hounded Valerie to speak. James Hanratty denied shooting Michael Gregsten, a physicist, twice in the head last August. As she told food network, "i learned more about myself with every battle and i learned more how deeply talented the other warriors in this tournament are. "If anyone doesn't want to be punished then they, surely, don't commit the crime. Although Hanratty's blood group (O) was the same as the murderer's, it was a fairly common blood type shared by 36% of the British population, including Peter Alphon and, apart from Storie's identification, there was no other evidence that Hanratty had ever been in the Maidenhead area. [citation needed]. All of this money was anonymously donated to Slough Mobility Transport for the purchase of two new vehicles, one of which was named 'Valerie'. He leaves two sons, aged seven and two. Hanratty's family and their supporters have continued to contest this conclusion and to press for a further review of his conviction. Save up to 30% when you upgrade to an image pack. "Valerie has worked at the laboratory since she left school five years ago and she has known Michael for a long time.". The case for Hanratty's innocence was pursued by his family as well as by some of the opponents of capital punishment in the United Kingdom, who maintained that Hanratty was innocent and sought to draw attention to evidence that would cast doubt on the validity of his conviction. Her wish was honoured when The Long Silence was released with the title that Valerie had planned to give to her book. [8], Hanratty claimed that he was staying with friends in Liverpool at the time of the murder, where he had also gone to see one of his criminal friends and former cell mate Terry McNally from Dingle to sell some jewellery. [citation needed] She remembered a man resembling Hanratty, and at first said he stayed there during the week of 1926 August but later said she couldnt really remember what week he did stay. This turned out to be untrue, as her and her boyfriend, Michael Gregsten, were held up by a gunman and held captive in Gregsten's car for five hours. However, there was another person called William Usher, who did have two fingers missing from one hand, which looked withered. I had found the guilty person. The prosecution produced witnesses attesting that all the rooms were already occupied at the time and accused Mrs Jones of being an unreliable witness. [citation needed]. Although Gregsten and Storie offered to give him all their money and the car, the man appeared to have no plan and seemed to want them to stay with him. But if it happens, use the ignition to turn the pilot on again. But then the other suspect, Peter Alphon, publicly confesses to the crime. However, only two days later, Storie gave a different description of her assailant to the police. Usher admitted remembering Hanratty and the suitcase, and partly remembered the name of the man as 'Ratty'; he was located by private detectives working for the defence, but was never called as a witness. Boards are the best place to save images and video clips. Hanratty claimed that his suitcase had been handed in to Lime Street Station to a 'man with a withered or turned hand'. Charles France was also the recipient of highly unpleasant anonymous phone calls. Storie screamed, "You bastard! On the evening of August 22, 1961, a car containing lovers Michael Gregsten and Valerie Storie, was parked by a field near . His companion, 22-year-old laboratory assistant, Valerie Storie, from Cippenham, near Slough, had been raped and shot five times in the chest. Mr Stickler said: 'She was absolutely measured and calm and wholly consistent from minute one to the very end. 2022 Casefile True Crime Podcast. She refused and, having managed to free her hands, tried to disarm him but was overpowered; after he threatened to shoot her, she relented. Source: www.apartments.com. "James Hanratty killed Michael Gregsten. At about 9pm on August 22, 1961, Michael Gregsten, 36, and his girlfriend Valerie Storie, 22, were sitting in their Morris Minor 1000 car in a lay-by at Dorney Reach, Buckinghamshire, when there was a tap on the driver's window. how to save a picture on laptop without mouse. This time, she did. Despatched to the youth wing of Wormwood Scrubs, he slashed his wrists; placed in the prison hospital, he was declared a 'potential psychopath'. I know that because I was there. We'll also send you alerts about important breaking news. Nudds' statement also said that Alphon had stayed in the hotel as he claimed, and had remained in his room, Room 6, all night. Forensic science and the case of James Hanratty, England and Wales Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) Decisions. 'Feral pigeons' are terrorising Biggleswade's businesses, meeting hears, The 'infestation' has grown to around 50 pigeons, according to one town councillor, Closures expected with Lloyds Pharmacy set to sell off stores across UK, This follows the news that the pharmacy brand is also closing all of the 237 Lloyds outlets inside Sainsbury's, More than 40,000 defrauded from Luton Borough Council during cyber-attack, Councillor Rob Roche, portfolio holder for finance, said: "Money stolen from the council is money stolen from the residents of Luton. Professor Hobbs said: 'It is important that people understand that it is very easy to jump on a bandwagon and come up with a conclusion that is wrong.'. Was James Hanratty Guilty or Innocent? Snus is a pasteurized, air-cured, smokeless and spitless tobacco, usually found in pouches. He also claimed the gun went off by accident. She was of the opinion that it is for all of us to make the most of what we have been dealt.'. Gregsten had been hit twice in the head and died instantly. [29] Fox split from Jean Justice in the 1970s, but continued the fight to clear Hanratty until his death in 1999, three years before the Court of Appeal upheld the conviction on the basis of the DNA evidence retrieved from Hanratty's corpse. As a result of these facts, after the A6 murder, Valerie was often unfairly characterised as a "loose woman". The man accused of the "A6 murder" has entered a plea of "not guilty" at the start of his trial at Bedfordshire Assizes in Bedford. The argument for contamination was dismissed as "fanciful" by the judges, who concluded that the "DNA evidence, standing alone, is certain proof of guilt". [citation needed] Hanratty's defence claimed that Mrs Dinwoodie was mistaken about the date. He leaves two sons, aged seven and two. Michael J. Gregsten, mmn = Oulet, GRO Register of Deaths: JUN 1962 4a 7 AMPTHILL. Professor Hobbs described Valerie as a 'bloody minded and determined' woman with a charming character. Want the latest Bedfordshire news direct to your inbox? James Hanratty was later tried, convicted and executed for the murder of Michael John Gregsten on the A6 road. Valerie hid pound notes in her bra to stop Hanratty from taking them. He was hanged at Bedford Jail on 4 April 1962, after being convicted of the murder of scientist Michael Gregsten, aged 36, who was shot dead in a car on the A6 at Deadman's Hill, near Clophill, Bedfordshire in August 1961. After some investigation, 'Ryan' turned out to be James Hanratty, a 25-year-old petty criminal with four convictions for car theft, larceny and burglary. James Hanratty was born on 4 October 1936 in Farnborough, Kent,[3] the eldest of four sons of James Francis Hanratty (19071978) and his wife Mary Ann Hanratty (19171999). Circa 1962. She wanted to write a book to finally give her version of events but did not get round to this before her death in 2016. [citation needed], On 7 September, Meike Dalal was attacked in her home in Richmond, Surrey, by a man claiming to be the A6 murderer, whom she later identified as Alphon in an identity parade on 23 September. After her retirement she remained an active member of her community, giving presentations on family history and helping to establish a minibus service in her hometown of Slough. [34] DNA was donated by Hanratty's mother and brother,[22] which they expected to exonerate him when compared with DNA extracted from surviving evidence. When Michael rolled down the window, Hanratty thrust a large black revolver into his face and said: 'This is a hold-up, I am a desperate man, I have been on the run for four months. Rachel Muir For Mailonline After a failed escape attempt, Hanratty was transferred to Camp Hill Prison, Isle of Wight. The police then took the unusual step of publicly naming Alphon as the murder suspect. Captions are provided by our contributors. [citation needed] Storie gave another statement to the police later that morning, just before she underwent surgery in Bedford Hospital. In some accounts of the case Janet Gregsten instigated the investigation into James Hanratty by a psychic experience. Even Valerie's own Member of Parliament, Joan Lestor, insisted Hanratty was innocent, and once sent a letter to Valerie inviting her to join the campaign for the A6 Committee. He believes that one of the other people was the murdered man's spurned wife, Janet Gregsten, who died recently, and at . ease arkansas phone number Hanratty was then charged with the capital murder of Michael Gregsten. According to Storie, the couple were abducted at gunpoint in their car at Dorney Reach, Buckinghamshire, by a man with a Cockney accent and mannerisms matching Hanratty's. On Tuesday, 22nd August, 1961, Michael Gregsten, 36, a research physicist, called at the address of his estranged wife at Sabine House, Abbots Langley, and. Mr Stickler, a former Hampshire Constabulary police officer who specialised in murder investigations, compiled the book during lockdown using thousands of records and annotated documents left behind by Valerie. Forensic science and the case of James Hanratty Roger Lewis, Pseudocide New Spotify exclusive podcast from Casefile Presents, ShipStation Try ShipStation FREE for 60 days with promo code CASEFILE, Best Fiends Download Best Fiends for free, Imperfect Foods Get 20% off and free shipping on your first order with offer code CASEFILE20. RM ID: B5E30P Preview Image details Contributor: Trinity Mirror / Mirrorpix / Alamy Stock Photo File size: 30 MB (1.3 MB Compressed download) Releases: This is a hold-up, a mans voice said. Mr Gregsten's body was tonight identified by his wife, Janet. View 1 apartments for rent in corsicana, tx. [31] Woffinden wrote that there is no evidence that the witnesses even saw the same Morris Minor. The James Hanratty case is perhaps Bedfordshire's most notorious murder. He would have been wrongly identified by three witnesses at identification parades; first as the person at the scene of the crime and secondly (by two witnesses) driving a vehicle close to where the vehicle in which the murder was committed was found. Hanratty's uneducated London accent and his 'very large icy-blue eyes' enabled Valerie to identify him from a line-up and she later testified at his trial. By the age of 11 he had been declared ineducable at St James Catholic High School, Burnt Oak, Barnet, although his parents steadfastly refused to accept he was in any way mentally deficient and successfully resisted attempts to have him placed in a special school. [12] Gregsten had been shot twice in the head with a .38 revolver at point blank range; Storie had been raped, and then shot with the same weapon, four times in the left shoulder and once in the neck, leaving her paralysed below the shoulders. During 1962, the case caught the interest of London businessman Jean Justice, the son of a Belgian diplomat and partner of barrister Jeremy Fox. He was sent to Walton Prison, Liverpool, where he was again identified as a psychopath.[9]. Police handout, showing James Hanratty in police custody, Lennon and Ono protest Hanratty's execution. But when Michael reached for the bag Hanratty shot him twice in the head, killing him instantly. Gregsten's girlfriend, Valerie Storie, was raped, shot five times, and left paralysed. [12] Kerr alerted Sydney Burton, a farm labourer, who flagged down two cars and asked the drivers to call an ambulance. Despite this, she was hounded by the media and celebrities, including John Lennon and Yoko Ono, who criticised her for allegedly sending an innocent man to his grave. The gunman knew the Bear Hotel, Maidenhead. [37][38] However, they further went on to note, in the summary of their judgement: The DNA evidence does not stand alone and the Court refers to some of the more striking coincidences in the light of the DNA evidence if James Hanratty was not guilty. They dispatched a telegram to Valerie's place of work, inviting her to the Corn Exchange to "refute any allegations that may be made against you". Was a married man, he and his wife Janet had two boys, Simon, eight, and Anthony, nearly two. He was sent to the gallows at Bedford Prison on 4 April 1962, becoming one of the last people to be hanged in Britain before capital punishment was abolished. He ordered them to drive to . I therefore have no fear of him. Transferred briefly to Durham Prison, he was returned to Strangeways where, having served his full term, he was released in March 1961, aged 24. Mr Stickler remains interested in pursuing the story further and is looking into another case which he believes might have inspired Hanratty. In 1997, a police inquiry concluded he was wrongfully convicted and the case was sent to the Court of Appeal,[1] which ruled in 2002 that a DNA test conclusively proved Hanratty's guilt beyond any doubt.[2]. October 11th, 1961, James Hanratty was arrested for murder and rape. What was going to happen to them? Results from testing in June 1999 were said to be strong evidence of a familial match - the evidential DNA was "two and a half million times more likely" to belong to James Hanratty than to anyone else. Believing that he had killed her, Hanratty drove south in the direction of Luton. When Paul was handed what he calls the 'Storie papers', made up of her own notes on that fateful night as well as police tapes, he decided her story needed to be told. At about 9pm on August 22, 1961, Michael Gregsten, 36, and his girlfriend Valerie Storie, 22, were sitting in their Morris Minor 1000 car in a lay-by at Dorney Reach, Buckinghamshire, when. Among the prosecution team at the trial was Geoffrey Lane, who was subsequently appointed Lord Chief Justice. [30], The Hanratty family acting through their solicitor, Sir Geoffrey Bindman, repeatedly called for further inquiries into the case. It was now approximately 3am, six hours after the ordeal had started at Dorney Reach. If you do as I tell you, you will be alright., Extracted from The Long Silence: The True Story of James Hanratty and the A6 Murder by Valerie Storie, the Woman Who Lived to Tell the Tale by Paul Stickler. The gunman got out of the car and approached her; pleading for her life, she took a pound note from her pocket, screaming, "Here, take this, take the car and go." After Hanratty received a unanimous verdict of guilty in court, a petition arguing his innocence was signed by 90,000 people, but an appeal was dismissed. On 11 October, Hanratty was arrested by police in Blackpool, at the Stevonia cafe. By the time of his arrest for the murder of Michael Gregsten, Hanratty had already accumulated four convictions for motoring offences and housebreaking. However, as Paul's book reveals, these words were a mask for her true feelings. The police issued an appeal to boarding-house keepers to report any unusual or suspicious guests. A strong, disabled woman's story. Michael Gregston was murdered by James Hanratty 1962. [35], James Hanratty's body was exhumed in 2001 to extract his DNA. With some justification it seemed, since Michael had a tendency to spend willingly rather than save. Flatline intro and Come play with me intro and outro www.dl-sounds.com, Logo and website design Paulina Szymanska, James Hanratty: The A6 Murder Crime Files, Tributes pour in for Sloughs brave Valerie Storie Slough & South Bucks Observer, Man is charged with A6 murder The Guardian, Court told of A6 car chase The Guardian, Calls to Yard in A6 case The Guardian, Hanratty family in new appeal against murder conviction BBC News, Police denial of concealing evidence The Guardian, Lay by murder gun identified The Guardian, New search in lay by murder The Guardian, Lennon film on the A6 murder found The Observer, Fresh confession revives Hanratty doubts The Guardian, Appeal court to reveal Hanratty murder case The Guardian, DNA hampers effort to clear Hanratty The Guardian, Murder casebook: James Hanratty Crime and Investigation Network, A miscarriage of justice?