They had finished the planning for the weekends rally, Valeries maps folded away in her shopping basket. Michael Gregsten's widow later went on to have an affair with her brother in law William Ewer, who left his wife. The report made there acknowledged his unhappy home background (he claimed he was frightened of his mother and had no filial feelings towards his father) and his mental handicaps. ;Picture taken at home of Mrs. Janet Gregston with her two sons Anthony 3 and Simon (9) 1961. [citation needed]. In 2002 DNA evidence proved beyond all doubt that Hanratty was guilty. The suspect falsely identified himself as 'Frederick Durrant'; he was actually Peter Louis Alphon, a drifter surviving on an inheritance and the proceeds of gambling. It details 22 attempts made by Michael and Valerie to escape or frustrate the gunman, including hatching a plan to drive into a policeman if they came across one on the journey in order to get his attention. 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. She identified James Hanratty as her attacker during an identity parade. At Deadman's Hill the man ordered Gregsten to pull into a lay-by. No DNA other than Hanratty's was found on the handkerchief in which the murder weapon had been found wrapped. [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. The man then kept them there for two hours, chattering to them incessantly. Against the wishes of his parents, Hanratty's body had been exhumed and his DNA was compared to that found on Valerie's underwear and the handkerchief in which the murder weapon had been hidden. Mr Gregsten's body was tonight identified by his wife, Janet. 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. Where was the money going to come from? In 2002 Valerie was finally vindicated when DNA evidence proved beyond reasonable doubt that Hanratty was guilty. She was of the opinion that it is for all of us to make the most of what we have been dealt.'. Find the right content for your market. 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." how to save a picture on laptop without mouse. 'There's a very powerful human story in this. The following extract describes the moments leading up to the events on that fateful nightin August 1961 that turned her life upside down Valeries shopping basket rested on the back seat. Look after mum and dad. Another man obtained a gun for Alphon, whereupon he set off and hijacked the pair. [1] 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. 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. Miraculously, Valerie survived, but was left paralysed from the chest down for the rest of her life. They took with them maps and other things to organise a car rally being held at their office this weekend. After driving them around the English countryside for hours, the intruder shot both Michael and Valerie, leaving them on the side of the road at a location known as Deadman's Hill. , updated After ignoring her pleas to shoot her as well, or let her get help for Gregsten, the gunman told her to kiss him. Or did Scotland Yard have the right man all along? The circumstances of Hanratty's introduction to France's family, and the reasons for the crippling sense of guilt harboured by France for the harm he felt Hanratty had inflicted on them, so great that it could only be expiated by suicide, remain a mystery.[8]. The case involved the death of a man who lived not far from Hanratty and Mr Stickler thinks he could have heard about it while he was in prison for house breaking. My evidence has never changed, neither have I ever had any doubts. Michael is married and he and his wife Janet have two boys, Simon, eight, and Anthony, nearly two.But Michael is having an affair with his 22-year-old lab assistant, Valerie Storie. Professor Hobbs said: 'She never felt sorry for herself. He started to bombard his own solicitor with threatening phone calls and letters. I would ask you now to respect my wish to be left in piece.". 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. He explained: "I felt the story had been misrepresented and needed a retelling from a fresh perspective. [45][46], This article is about the 1961 murder on the A6 road in England. The case became a cause celebre, with politicians and pop stars, legal experts and writers joining the campaign to prove he was the victim of a miscarriage of justice. Snus is a pasteurized, air-cured, smokeless and spitless tobacco, usually found in pouches. DESCRIPTIONIn August 1961, a couple by the name of Michael Gregsten and Valerie Storie were sitting in their Morris Minor car in Dorney Reach, UK, when an in. Sign up here. E-mail this story to a friend Watch/Listen Detectives search the murder scene Man finds A6. Forensic science and the case of James Hanratty, England and Wales Court of Appeal (Criminal Division) Decisions. Neutral Citation Number: [2002] Crim 1141", "James Hanratty: Close to a final verdict? Following her death, author Paul Stickler was handed Valerie's extensive notes and files, allowing her story to finally be told. She was always absolutely certain that she was right, there was no question about that.'. More than 300 homes approved as part of new Luton development, Improvements are set to be made to surrounding roads as part of the development. Of approximately seven bullets fired, five hit Storie; she fell to the ground next to Gregsten and played dead. At 11.30pm, the man said he wanted food, and told Gregsten to start driving. As 22-year-old Valerie Storie stepped out of her home on August 22, 1961, she shouted to her parents "Goodbye, I shan't be late". ', Professor Adrian Hobbs, a close friend of Valerie who worked with her at the Road Research Laboratory in Bracknell, Berkshire, said: 'I think she was just waiting to be vindicated. Michael Gregsten is a 36-year-old research scientist at the Road Research Laboratory at Langley, near Slough. Peter Alphon died in January 2009 after a fall at his home. [32][33], While some of the original items of physical evidence were destroyed, the sample from Miss Storie's underwear had been discovered in 1991 and, in late-1997, the handkerchief was subsequently found in the possession of the Berkshire police. "If anyone doesn't want to be punished then they, surely, don't commit the crime. He took several steps back to the car before turning and firing four bullets at her, then reloaded and fired again. He was struck by how calm and measured she was throughout the whole ordeal. Paul's book describes the events in great detail of the night in illuminating detail, based on Valerie's accounts. [35] The Court of Appeal did not have the power to order an exhumation of Hanratty's body, but Lord Chief Justice Harry Woolf decided that this was desirable "in the interests of justice". If he hand't been hanged, with life sentences meted out today, then he would be long out of prison. Paul Foot and some other campaigners argued elsewhere that the DNA evidence could have been contaminated, in view of the fact that the small DNA samples from items of clothing, kept in a police laboratory for over 40 years in conditions that, as they argue, "do not satisfy modern evidential standards", had to be subjected to amplification techniques to yield any genetic profile. "However, my MP joined the rebel cause, became embroiled in a committee set up to prove a miscarriage of justice, and had the temerity to write to me asking me to join it.". Valerie wrote: "Hanratty committed a crime and was found guilty and was hanged. The pair had been intimate for two years after meeting through work, and seemingly had spoken about marriage. Police believe the couple, both employees of the Road Research Laboratory near Slough, were confronted by a man with a gun as they were parked on Dorney Common in Berkshire yesterday evening. Access the best of Getty Images with our simple subscription plan. Despite this, Michael was having an affair with his 22-year-old lab assistant, Valerie Storie. Michael Gregston was murdered by James Hanratty 1962. Just before the defence opened its case, Hanratty changed part of his alibi. I knew who he was and he knew that I recognised him. [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. She said: 'They have built their case on this myth and it has grown to become pure folklore. Ask the author: Jeremy Craddock on The Jigsaw Murders, Ask the author: Monica Weller on investigating a 50-year-old cold case. (Known as the 'A6 Murderer' Known for Killing Scientist 'Michael Gregsten') 3 3 Birthdate: October 4, 1936 Sun Sign: Libra Birthplace: Bromley, Kent, England Died: April 4, 1962 Better known as the A6 Murderer, James Hanratty was one of the last people to be executed before capital punishment was abolished. They were, though, generally relaxed talking in their cornfield. His wife, Maureen Hanratty, said the family had been 'put through hell' because of the behaviour of the authorities. He ordered them to drive to . Bedfordshire Live spoke to Paul about the newly-released book, which is titled The Long Silence - just as Valerie had intended. '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. [citation needed] Hanratty's defence claimed that Mrs Dinwoodie was mistaken about the date. Alphon claimed he gave Gregsten two chances to get away but "each time the bloody man kept coming back". They compared his DNA to that found on Valerie's underwear and the handkerchief in which the murder weapon had been contained, and found a conclusive match. He wrote a suicide letter to Hanratty; it was full of spite and venom, but at no point actually accused him of committing the murder. He had the same identifying manner of speech as the killer. Michael wound down his window, only halfway, when a gun was thrust through the gap, its muzzle pointing directly at them. No precise diagnoses were offered, and it has since been suggested that he suffered from either epilepsy or post-concussional syndrome, which would have had a marked effect on his personality.[8]. ;Picture taken at home of Mrs. Janet Gregston with her two sons Anthony 3 and Simon (9) 1961. It also tells the true story of Valerie's complicated relationship with 36-year-old Michael. During 1962, the case caught the interest of London businessman Jean Justice, the son of a Belgian diplomat and partner of barrister Jeremy Fox. Enter your email address below to get the latest news and exclusive content from The History Press delivered straight to your inbox. Get in touch for any commercial. 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. Alphon was the son of a senior figure at Scotland Yard. michael gregsten wife. [43][44][citation needed], Valerie Storie died on 26 March 2016 aged 77 in the Cippenham house where she had been born. The argument for contamination was dismissed as "fanciful" by the judges, who concluded that the "DNA evidence, standing alone, is certain proof of guilt". In essence its her posthumous autobiography.". The unit should also be connected correctly to the power source. They had never been disturbed before and it was easier to talk here rather than anywhere else. Valeries immediate instinct was that it was the farmer coming to find out what they were doing and to tell them to get off his land. A brutal crime at Deadman's Hill On August 22, 1961, lovers Gregsten and Storie were parked next to a cornfield in a Morris Minor when a revolver was thrust into the car and a cockney voice let them know they were being held up. James Hanratty denied shooting Michael Gregsten, a physicist, twice in the head last August. For over thirty five years one person remained silent. It is not known why the trial was moved to Bedford, just nine miles from the murder scene, although this afforded easier access for the now-paraplegic Valerie Storie, who had received treatment at nearby Stoke Mandeville Hospital. After nine hours, they returned to the court and entered a unanimous verdict of guilty. What Valerie then saw surprised her. The trial lasted 21 days, the longest in English legal history up to that time.[21]. 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. Secretly, however, she was drafting the contents of a book and writing hundreds of notes. [citation needed] Storie gave another statement to the police later that morning, just before she underwent surgery in Bedford Hospital. Mr Stickler remains interested in pursuing the story further and is looking into another case which he believes might have inspired Hanratty. Jet tila michael voltaggio and defending champion and last seasons winner brooke williamson. This should have been the end of the matter, but for the rest of her life Valerie was hounded by the media, campaign groups and celebrities including John Lennon and Yoko Ono, who insisted Hanratty was innocent. Yet in spite of this, Valerie kept her silence, Paul explained. A woman who was raped and shot in a car with her lover - and was then hounded by people who were convinced her attacker was innocent, has told her story in a new book from beyond the grave. At about 6:45am on 23 August 1961, the body of Michael John Gregsten (28 December 1924 - 23 August 1961)[10][11] was discovered in a lay-by on the A6 road at Deadman's Hill, near the Bedfordshire village of Clophill, by John Kerr, an Oxford undergraduate conducting a traffic census. We choose the most important stories of the day to include in the email, including crime, court news, long reads, traffic and travel, food and drink articles and more. RM ID: B5E30P Preview Image details Contributor: Trinity Mirror / Mirrorpix / Alamy Stock Photo File size: 30 MB (1.3 MB Compressed download) Releases: Since his death Hanratty's family and supporters have fought to prove that, although a petty crook, he was not a killer. Michael was 14 years older than her and married with two children, though he was in the process of separating from his wife. "The book tells the story of what happened that night and how she dealt with it in the years that followed. She was able to see only the body of the man between his waist and shoulders, but his smart appearance seemed at odds with his threatening behaviour. While at Maidstone, Hanratty came to the attention of a researcher who lived and worked alongside the inmates; he was later to remark upon Hanrattys "gross social and emotional immaturity". But then the other suspect, Peter Alphon, publicly confesses to the crime. Valerie hid pound notes in her bra to stop Hanratty from taking them. Hanratty found a job there driving a mechanical shovel for the company of Green Brothers, which made breeze blocks, and remained with the firm for three years. The 'A6 Defence Committee' was a self-appointed group of campaigners and activists, who included the journalist Paul Foot and the Labour politicians Fenner Brockway and Joan Lestor, the former and current MPs for the Eton & Slough constituency where Valerie Storie lived. Not so much lying to avoid the death sentence, but putting the burden of clearing his name on his brother, even AFTER his death, makes him the worst type of criminal. The police raided the hotel, and questioned Nudds again, who then changed his story, claiming that Alphon had in fact been in the basement and 'Ryan' in Room 6 but, for reasons unknown, had swapped rooms during the night. Hanratty was initially buried in the grounds of Bedford Gaol, but, on 22 February 1966, his remains were exhumed and re-interred in a grave at Watford, later shared with his aunt.[22][23]. 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. The A6 Committee made a list of claims which, they contended, indicated that Alphon was the murderer: Paul Foot warned "against jumping to hasty conclusions, in particular about Peter Alphon he really didn't know as much as he pretended. Was Michael actually going to leave his wife and two boys? After leaving the school in 1951 at the age of 15, Hanratty, still illiterate, joined the Public Cleansing Department of Wembley Borough Council as a refuse sorter. The Long Silenceis, in essence, Valeries posthumous autobiography, explaining for the first time every explicit detail of the cat and mouse drive, as Michael and Valerie tried on over twenty occasions to deter and thwart the apparently indecisive Hanratty. For pouch chewers, reach down in the bottom of the pouch, where the tobacco is moist, and grab a small handful. We'll also send you alerts about important breaking news. The journey continued along the A5 through St Albans, which the gunman mistakenly insisted was Watford, before joining the A6. Something went wrong, please try again later. Storie screamed, "You bastard! Grow your brand authentically by sharing brand content with the internets creators. Her testimony was critical in securing a guilty verdict, but this was questioned by many who felt the supporting evidence too weak to justify conviction, and Hanratty's brother fought for decades to have the verdict overturned. July 3, 2022 July 3, 2022. Two suspects were spotlighted for the attack, which was dubbed The A6 Murder. James Hanratty was eventually charged and executed, despite claiming his innocence. One dog was subsequently put to sleep due the severity of it's injuries. During the 1990s, increasingly advanced DNA analysis techniques became widely available. On 7 September 1954, aged 17, Hanratty appeared before Harrow Magistrates' where he was placed on probation for taking a motor vehicle without consent, and for driving without a licence or insurance. Nudds also now added that Alphon had left the hotel 'calm and composed'. No defence on the basis of mental history was raised at Hanrattys trial. Hi, It's truly a crying shame that all the postings on this fascinating forum have been lost, seemingly for ever. When this evidence went to court in 2002, proving Hanratty's guilt beyond any doubt, reporters once again hounded Valerie to speak. Still can't find what you're looking for? Alphon was recorded by PC Ian Thomson as saying "there can't have been any fingerprints in the car otherwise mine would have given me away". On 29 August, Valerie Storie and another witness, Edward Blackhall, who had seen the driver of the Morris Minor, compiled an Identikit picture which was then released. Organize, control, distribute and measure all of your digital content. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. Hanratty was sent to recuperate at an aunt's home in Bedford, a place he and his brother Michael had visited as children on holiday. AboutPressCopyrightContact. The Police tracked down a Mrs Dinwoodie, who served in a sweetshop in Scotland Road, and who recalled a man like Hanratty asking for directions. After vainly screaming and waving her petticoat to attract the attention of passing motorists, Storie lost consciousness. Valerie Storie was left paralysed after James Hanratty attacked her and killed her boyfriend in August 1961. I looked in his eyes and he looked in mine. The decision by the Court of Appeal included a discussion of the handling of the various items of evidence involved.
