After hearing the medical evidence, the judge said that it would not be safe to convict the men. A black wig with red tints was seen on the ground after Mr Watson's murder. She said that she then heard a noise like a body falling from the bed and then silence. Scotland Yard detectives were called in to give a fresh perspective. A BBC One crime drama examines how murder ignites the deep divides in a former mining community. If you don't have an account please register. Her right eye was so badly damaged that it had to be removed. Mansfield. Mr Keetley, a production worker at Riverside Bakery, in The Meadows, was found without his mobile phone, a gold neck chain with an "R" pendant attached and an Armani watch. On the first working day after the killings, Susan swiped 40,000 from her parents' accounts. Prosecutors say that he and his wife shot dead the couple, Patricia Wycherley, 63, and William. The police were alerted after Kevin Childerley was found by neighbours downstairs in a semi-conscious sate, moaning and covered with blood and with serious head and facial injuries. Convicted: Robert Black (Serial killer) 2. A week after the discovery of the remains, the investigation turned into a murder inquiry. Police - who, as we shall see, already had a very good idea of the identity of the remains - initially only said that two bodies had been found by officers following up information received the previous week about an 'alleged incident' dating back to the 1990s. He had been wearing paint-stained decorator's overalls, a brown leather jacket and a dark pon-pon hat. They admitted obstructing a coroner in the execution of his duty by burying the bodies between May 2 and May 10, 1998. Dismissing the appeal, Lady Justice Rafferty said the crown court judge was entitled to reach the conclusions she did when setting the minimum tariff. The court also heard that Kevin Childerley's wife had a criminal record for theft and deception involving thousands of pounds over a ten-year period until 1987. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. An artist's impression of the long-haired man in his 20s was released but police never found him. But they stuck to their story about the killings, denying that they'd murdered the Wycherleys. The latest crime news from Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. Mansfield. '", Colman added: "We find out, through the programme, she faced abuse at the hands of her father as a little girl, and I think it's her escapism to sort of imagine men [can be] heroic and that she finally meets her knight in shining armour.". The total amount diverted into the joint account was said at the trial to have been 245,705, although at a later proceeds of crime hearing this was revised upwards to 286,285. In February 2015, Susan Edwards lost an appeal against her 25-year minimum sentence. He was stabbed 14 times at the base of his skull as he walked the family's pet dog, Blackie, in the early hours of September 8, 1963. The 37-year-old disappeared after a night out in Nottingham on Saturday, April 28, 2007. Kevin Childerley's inquest concluded that he had died from severe head injuries. Nottinghamshire is among the top 20 most dangerous counties in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Subscribe now for regular news, updates and priority booking for events, All content is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0, except where otherwise stated, DPP - Records of the Director of Public Prosecutions, DPP 2 - Director of Public Prosecutions: Case Papers, New Series, More information about the Freedom of Information review process, About our A free pneumonia vaccine was turned down in December 2006. In the meantime, Nottinghamshire detectives had tried to contact the Edwards by phone and e-mail, but after receiving one response there had been nothing more. The overall crime rate in Mansfield Woodhouse in 2021 was 60 crimes per 1,000 people. DWP to tell Cost of Living payment claimants dates before being made this spring, A 900 payment will be paid to those on means tested benefits in three instalments this year, Everton hit with penalty by the FA ahead of Nottingham Forest clash, Latest Nottingham Forest news from NottinghamshireLive as Everton fined prior to Premier League meeting with Reds, Microwave 'thrown at officers' in Nottinghamshire as injured woman found in attic, The sound of people fighting was heard from outside the address in the early hours, Tributes paid to owner of one of Nottingham's 'best-loved greasy spoons', 'We all feel like the cafe won't be the same without him now', Cocaine and heroin found in Nottinghamshire drug dealer's bedroom, Christian Franklin was convicted of possession with intent to supply heroin and cocaine as well as possession of an offensive weapon, Haulage yard site to be transformed into new Co-op store, Planning permission has been granted for the project, Cold weather alert issued for Nottinghamshire as snow to hit next week, Brits urged to check up on elderly and other vulnerable people as UK Health Security Agency warns of dangers from cold weather, Discount food shop to bring 23 jobs to Nottinghamshire town, The discount shop is running a competition on its opening day, Simon Jordan sends Evangelos Marinakis message to Steve Cooper amid Nottingham Forest speculation, Latest Nottingham Forest news from NottinghamshireLive as Simon Jordan wades in on speculation surrounding the future of head coach Steve Cooper, Teacher made 'catastrophic mistake' before crash that killed pensioner, 73-year-old Yvonne Roberts was on her way to a friend's house, Steve Cooper sets clear Nottingham Forest stance with passionate response amid speculation, Latest Nottingham Forest news from NottinghamshireLive as Reds prepare to face Everton at City Ground, Huge queues at city centre shop as closing-down sale underway, Shoppers have lined Clumber Street in search of a bargain. Sitting with Mr Justice Jeremy Baker and Mrs Justice Carr, she added: "She did so having reminded herself that 15 years had elapsed since this young woman had left home, before she returned and murdered the people she said she hated. NEIGHBOURS of Patricia and William Wycherley believed the couple had left their sleepy village near Mansfield but really they were dead and buried in a shallow grave in their own back garden. I picked it up. Of course, they'd already been dead and buried for 13 years. Edwards, 57, made the statement shortly after beginning his evidence in his defence on Thursday. They were found guilty in 2014, with the judge calling Susan "an accomplished liar and a fantasist". Or at least they didnt until October 2013, when - about 15 years after anyone last recalled seeing them - a police forensic tent appeared in the back garden of the Wycherleys former home in Mansfield, Nottinghamshire. For that charge, they would go to trial at Nottingham Crown Court in June. "He spoke to her solicitor who said she was a very shy, gentle, well-read, [a] nice woman. Inspired by real events, the drama is set against the backdrop of a Nottinghamshire mining community still dealing with the hangover of the 1984 strikes, as police try to hunt two unrelated killers. She had been bludgeoned to death. They raised 5,000 from selling books and other items, borrowed 10,000 from work, and fled to live in an apartment in Lille. Discover your ideal travel experience. The 19-year-old, of St Ann's, was chased from a city takeaway to the Two in the Bush pub, in Radford on Sunday, November 30, 1997. Police crackdown on M1 drivers after motorist caught using elbow to steer transporter, National Highways released footage of the incident, Microwave 'thrown at officers' in Nottinghamshire as injured woman found in attic, The sound of people fighting was heard from outside the address in the early hours, Nottingham ex-street dealer now works for Network Rail and subject to drug tests, He made 'a terrible judgement at the time', Hucknall sex offender broke law after he left home 'with all his belongings', He is required to inform police if he moves, Cocaine and heroin found in Nottinghamshire drug dealer's bedroom, Christian Franklin was convicted of possession with intent to supply heroin and cocaine as well as possession of an offensive weapon, Nottinghamshire fraudster who said he was in 'vegetative state' caught walking on camera, Runaway driver hid in pond after leading police on dangerous chase through Mansfield Woodhouse. They obtained loans and credit cards in Mrs Wycherley's name. Kevin Childerley's wife had said that she remembered waking up to see the 32-year-old man with his hand over Kevin Childerley's mouth and striking out at him. But what police discovered would eventually reveal a shocking story of greed, deceit and murder. By then, the Edwardses had sold the Blenheim Close house, in 2005, for 66,938, with a false signature. For other inquiries, Contact Us. MR Cope was found in a pool of blood in his caravan at Radcliffe-on-Trent Caravan Park, in Wharf Lane, on October 9, 1964. With folie deux, there is usually a dominant and a subservient party, but, with the Edwardses, it is not clear which was which. The babysitter said that she was woken up by the sounds of Kevin Childerley's wife screaming and Kevin Childerley's moaning. WHILE the motive for Sheila Egner's murder seemed clear, who the killer was still remains a mystery. He was right. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. A 16-year-old babysitter had also been in the house at the time of the attack. Kevin Childerley was found dead when the police arrived, and it was reported that his wife had certainly been left for dead. She said that there was another person standing behind the 32-year-old man and that when she tried to sit up she was struck on the head. They had had two small children who had been in the house at the time of the attack. They did not live a lavish lifestyle, but instead splashed out thousands of pounds on Hollywood memorabilia, including signed photos and autographs of Gary Cooper, and stamps featuring Frank Sinatra. When a man was 12-years-old, his father murdered his mother and buried her under the floorboards of their home in Mansfield, Ohio. Her co-star, Harry Potter actor David Thewlis, added the truth was stranger than fiction. But someone, it was clear, had sold it. When the cab arrived, the pair went outside together, with Mr Wilson taking his usual stroll with the dog. They were each sentenced to life with a minimum of 25 years. Please ensure the tag is appropriate for the record. Police raid Nottingham home 'taken against owner's will', Police are investigating cuckooing after forcing their way into a house in Bilborough as part of a drugs raid, Police investigation after man found with stab wounds in Ilkeston, Hoard of suspected poached deer skulls and fox tails found in drugs raid in Nottinghamshire, Cannabis, bleach and a knife were also found at an address, police said, Cuckooing reports Nottingham house 'taken over against owner's will', Five people were arrested in connection with the investigation, Cannabis user for 30 years handed harsher penalty after repeated fines, Search for Constance Martens baby ends in tragedy as remains found, Police confirmed the news at a press conference, Fires lit and memorial bench vandalised at Nottinghamshire golf course, A gate that allows disabled users to access the course has also been destroyed, Nottingham men charged in people smuggling investigation, They will next appear at Nottingham Crown Court on March 29, Drugged-up robber threatened to stab owner of family-run shop during raid. The couple also helped themselves to their private pensions and benefits. But eventually their elaborate web of lies unravelled and they handed themselves in to cops in Lille after fleeing to France. The Edwards had married in 1983, and had been in financial difficulties for much of their relationship. He was also seen half an hour later in Silverdale Road, Basford, carrying the drawer. When the couples assets were later investigated, Christopher had 17 in his bank account. As always you can unsubscribe at any time. We've just launched our Crime and Punishment Newsletter that focuses on big crime stories and court reports. THE body of lorry driver Kevin Coniam was dumped in the back of his gold Volvo Estate in a lonely spot near Mansfield. Kevin Childerley was an ex-miner. The court also heard that a 30-year-old hairdresser said that the 27-year-old man had told him that the police had offered him 5,000 to say that he had driven the 32-year-old man to Kevin Childerley's house. You need to sign in to tag. We use your sign-up to provide content in the ways you've consented to and improve our understanding of you. In the meantime there were still gaps in the police's knowledge about the couple. Detectives sought to contact Susan. Still, it wasn't long before police were publicly speculating about the bodies being the Wycherleys, even though they had not yet been identified. When you purchase through links on our site or newsletter, we may earn affiliate commission. "The discovery in their former garden last week may be the reason why. National News. He added that it was only an outside chance that she had suffered from psychogenic or emotionally-induced amnesia and that after having read all of her previous statements and hearing her describe her memory recall, the evidence did not agree with his experience or with relevant medical textbooks. Follow the latest news for Mansfield in Nottinghamshire, England, UK - Local news and information in your area . Detectives believe he had given someone a lift home. When she was accused of lying, she said, 'What am I going to gain by putting an innocent man down, because that means the real man is still about. What is clear is that the couple were skilled at what they did and well-organised to have kept up the pretence that the Wycherleys were alive for so many years. The evening before Mr Wilson's death was a busy one. With the British police having no jurisdiction in France, finding the couple and bringing them back to the UK could have taken months. Around 100 detectives worked on the case but failed to turn up any leads. AT the time of Shane Thompson's death, gang culture was rife on Nottingham streets. Police outside the house in Blenheim Close, Inspector Mark Webster addresses the media. Kevin Childerley's wife was left blind in one eye from the attack. "They didn't lead a particularly lavish lifestyle," Det Ch Insp Rob Griffin, of the East Midlands major crime unit, told the BBC. In 2012, the couple received a letter from the Centenarian Society - an organisation helping people celebrate their 100th birthdays - asking for a face-to-face meeting with Mr Wycherley. A forged document relating to the sale of the house in Blenheim Close in 2005. Ms Godfrey was attacked and raped in her own home A man has been jailed for life after admitted raping and battering an elderly woman to death. Please could you notify the UK Border Force at Lille Europe so that they may expect us.". SWEPT away by the American soldiers who filled Wollaton Park in the months before D-Day in June 1944, Joan Smith was just a teenager when she met her future husband Clarence Maschek. AROUND 40 people saw Theresa Jacobs gunned down outside a city nightclub but still the identity of her killer remains a mystery. Over the years, Notts detectives have searched at a number of locations for his body, including at Maize Farm, in East Heckington, Lincolnshire, in February 2013. High levels of cover from an award winning provider, 3-year fixed price with no tie-ins - T&Cs apply. Police have never worked out who was responsible for Mr Coniam's killing, but suspect it might have been connected to the victim's drug addiction. It's rare in these days of advanced DNA techniques and blanket CCTV coverage for serious crimes to go unsolved for very long. In 2007, Susan wrote to a relative, saying her parents had been travelling around Ireland, because of the good air, on and off for some years. DETECTIVES trying to track down the killer of Omar Watson were met with a wall of silence. Since then there have been no new lines of enquiry into who was responsible for Mrs Greig's death. The benefit is paid every four weeks, either on a Monday or a Tuesday - and there is no limit to how many children a parent or guardian can claim for. The killing of pub landlord George Wilson is Notts' oldest unsolved murder. Yet only a handful of witnesses came forward. Jason Ward, 23, left 87-year-old Gladys Godfrey. It was found the next day in a Basford garden. This means that we may include adverts from us and third parties based on our knowledge of you. How does the Care Funding Advice Service work? He said that the lack of defensive injuries indicated that Kevin Childerley had been asleep when he was attacked. John is a police community support officer and can't believe that the biggest crime Mansfield has known happened right under his nose. An inquest ruled it was unlikely his death was a suicide or an accident. THE case of Beatrice Greig is unusual in the sense that two convictions have been brought. It is in the Huthwaite and Brierley ward of Ashfield District Council. He also admitted that he had initially lied to the police about an axe that his father had given him, which he said that he had lost before he moved into Stainforth Street. He went on to add that the only evidence linking the 21-year-old man to the murder was that of Kevin Childerley's wife and noted that the whole case hinged on her memory, stating that after recovering from her injuries, she had had no recollection of the events to enable her to identify her assailant or assailants, even if they were known to her. get the latest news, interviews and reviews with Saga Magazine. However, his wife said that she did recieve 'funny phone calls' on the weekend before the murder. The murder weapon believed to be a semi-automatic handgun was never found. The Edwards might have got away with their crimes if it hadn't been for the fact that Mr Wycherley - had he still been alive - would have been approaching his 100th birthday. After hearing the evidence the judge said 'I have come firmly to the view it is my duty to stop the case because no jury, properly directed by me, could possibly return any verdict other than a verdict of not guilty'. Ethsham Ul Haq Ghafoor was shot twice as he sat in his cab once in the side and once in the head. Mr Watson, 24, of Top Valley, died soon afterwards at the Queen's Medical Centre from a single gunshot wound. The 19-year-old has been hunted since 2003 when Arnold jeweller Marian Bates was killed during a robbery. The caravan was found secure and nothing had been stolen, leading police to assume Mr Cope had invited his attacker inside. Kevin Steven Childerley - Unsolved Murder 1990 - Sherwood Street, Mansfield Woodhouse, Nottingham - Kevin Steven Childerley Unsolved Mysteries UK Unsolved Murders Tags Kevin Steven Childerley Age: 30 Sex: male Date: 19 Feb 1990 Place: Sherwood Street, Mansfield Woodhouse, Nottingham Eventually the money ran out and their lies came crashing down as they asked another relative for cash. Always obtain independent, professional advice for your own particular situation. Now Oscar-winning actor Colman, 47, is taking the lead role in a four-part Sky series written by her husband, Ed Sinclair, about the murders. Neighbours would later testify they'd seen Christopher "up to his waist" digging in the garden that day he was digging their graves. With the Wycherleys gone, the Edwardses set about covering up their cold-blooded crime in a deceit which would last 15 years. THE murder of Donald Stevens was surrounded by an absence of motive. Some of the companies Mr Coniam drove for told police they became suspicious of his activities when he consistently took longer than expected to complete journeys. Kevin Childerley's wife also said that her accusation that the 32-year-old man was the attacker was based on a 'gut feeling in my heart'. It was on October 9, 2013, that the bodies of Mr and Mrs Wycherley were discovered in the garden of the house in Blenheim Close. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. "We would prefer to do this since my wife is already sufficiently frightened. Eventually, the couple would end up stealing some 286,285 from their victims. In another twist, the court heard that letters Christopher believed the couple had been receiving from actor Gerard Depardieu were actually written by his wife. He said: "We submit that it does have the potential to have been a slow-burning provocation over the years, and that the judge, if she did reject it, was wrong to do so.". She went out into the street to find the body of Mr Landa on the pavement yards away from his cab. He left the New Foresters pub in St Ann's Street at 2.40am on Sunday, April 29, and was last seen on CCTV walking along Huntingdon Street. . Inspiring options. But we took it seriously and that is when the investigation started. If it had been, the Edwardses would have been consumed by guilt.. It was also stated by the prosecution that the 27-year-old man had admitted playing a part in the murder and to having driven the 32-year-old man to Kevin Childerley's house in Sherwood Street. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/, Susan and Christopher Edwards murdered Susan's parents in a calculated 1998 killing, Olivia Colman and David Thewlis play Susan and Christopher Edwards in Landscapers, Christopher and Susan Edwards were both sentenced to life in prison for the double-murder, William Wycherley was shot dead along with his wife Patricia, who has not been pictured, A signed photo of Gary Cooper on which the Edwardses spent some of their ill-gotten gains, A letter Susan sent to the Wycherleys' niece, suggesting 'father' was still alive in 2007, The garden as it looked in 2014 - the Wycherleys had been buried near the fence, Susan sent Christmas cards to relatives suggesting her parents were still alive, Christopher buried the Wycherleys in the garden in 1998 - their bodies were found in 2013, A Commando Colt .38 calibre revolver which cops believed was used to shoot the Wycherleys, Olivia Colman filming scenes for the new drama series Landscapers, Mansfield couple found guilty of murdering parents, Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO). The case was thrown into the spotlight in 2013 when builders converting the former Newark Police Station found a bag of evidence containing bicycle handlebars. However, it was also heard at the trial that the 27-year-old man had confessed to a woman that he had known for ten years, telling her that he had driven the 32-year-old man to Kevin Childerley's wife's house on the night of the murder. Indeed, they thought it was most likely that Mr Edwards - a former gun club member - had been the one who fired the shots from the .38 revolver which killed them both. It was one of the few clues police had when faced with the task of tracing the killer. a town that lies within striking distance of Nottinghamshire's former coalmines, was a student . "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. She went back home, but returned the following weekend, this time with her husband - and stopping on the way to buy fish and chips. Susan said she found her father on the floor in her parents bedroom and her mother holding a revolver. Suspicion eventually fell on a "scruffy" young man who would chat with Joan about classical music and ballet. Including breaking news, reports from Nottingham Crown Court and in-depth features. At the trial, it was heard that one of the men tried had lied about an axe and a diary, but the court heard that that was not enough to convict him of murder. Within the space of a few weeks, a former mining community was rocked by two gruesome killings, completely separate but just a few miles apart. We also may change the frequency you receive our emails from us in order to keep you up to date and give you the best relevant information possible. She said that they were both drug addicts and that the 27-year-old man had come to her house in late April 1991 in a nervous stating and looking for drugs. The truth about their fate emerged shortly afterwards. She was freed after 21 months when the Court of Appeal quashed the murder conviction on a technicality. Published: Thursday 04 April 1991 Newspaper: Mansfield & Sutton Recorder But the appeal bid was rejected by three of the country's most senior judges. Three people were arrested in February 2008 in connection with his death, but all were released. Her daughter Patricia Bass was first found guilty of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment in February 1995 at Nottingham Crown Court. What police do know is that Mr Ghafoor visited a petrol station at the junction of Mapperley Plains and Woodthorpe Drive in the early hours of Tuesday, November 22, 1994. The version of events told by Edwards, now 56, was all but identical to that told by her husband Christopher. "We have yet to formally identify the remains and so cannot say with 100 per cent certainty who we have found, but its not a great leap to imagine it might be the Wycherleys.. Clearly, the Edwards knew that was a meeting which would never be able to happen. Help us improve catalogue descriptions by adding tags. David Thewlis as Christopher Edwards in Landscapers. NOTE: You can also add place and crime into the search string manually, ie '2019, knife, london'. Sarah Harper, Abducted from Leeds and drowned in the Trent @ Wilford (1985?). We'd like to use additional cookies to remember your settings and understand how you use our services. The most meaningful clue was that the killer was a hooded man.