Police killer Harry Roberts to be freed
Discussion
Looks like 'police killer' Harry Roberts is to be freed after serving 45 years - 18 years beyond his tarrif.
This is said to "spark considerable anger among police officers, many of whom believe he should never be let out".
Has this guy served his time? Isn't it compassionate to let him live his last years as a free man? He was probably institutionalised and I'd imagine he's been through some sort of programme to adapt to the outside world which has changed a lot since 1966.
This is said to "spark considerable anger among police officers, many of whom believe he should never be let out".
Has this guy served his time? Isn't it compassionate to let him live his last years as a free man? He was probably institutionalised and I'd imagine he's been through some sort of programme to adapt to the outside world which has changed a lot since 1966.
Edinburger said:
Looks like 'police killer' Harry Roberts is to be freed after serving 45 years - 18 years beyond his tarrif.
This is said to "spark considerable anger among police officers, many of whom believe he should never be let out".
Has this guy served his time? Isn't it compassionate to let him live his last years as a free man? He was probably institutionalised and I'd imagine he's been through some sort of programme to adapt to the outside world which has changed a lot since 1966.
Whether this will "spark considerable anger . . . " etc is arguable.This is said to "spark considerable anger among police officers, many of whom believe he should never be let out".
Has this guy served his time? Isn't it compassionate to let him live his last years as a free man? He was probably institutionalised and I'd imagine he's been through some sort of programme to adapt to the outside world which has changed a lot since 1966.
The man, according to Wiki:
". . . was convicted of all three murders and sentenced to life imprisonment with a recommended minimum term of 30 years. The murders occurred just eight months after the Murder (Abolition of Death Penalty) Act 1965 suspended the death penalty in England, Wales and Scotland and substituted a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment. While in prison, Roberts made several attempts to escape.
"In 2001, he was moved to an open prison. However, Roberts was returned to a closed prison within months after allegations that he was involved in drug dealing and contraband smuggling. Author Kate Kray, who interviewed Roberts for her book Natural Born Killers, said that he has no remorse for his victims and recreates the murders in art and pastry decorations, making apple pies and decorating them with pastry cut-outs of policemen being shot. Kray said that he also produces "precisely drawn and coloured" paintings depicting someone shooting a policeman."
There was a massive furore at the time over the death penalty being effectively removed as a penalty.
He was then a really nasty bit of work and according to Natural Born Killers remains so.
I'm not sure just being old is a reason to let him out of prison.
From 2009;
I'm surprised someone who'd been in prison so long was still able to command that sort of behaviour, like why would anyone outside of prison even do any of this for him, what's in it for them?
Daily MAil said:
Roberts was abruptly moved to a closed jail in October 2001 when Mrs Cartwright and her son secretly complained about his behaviour. Once there, despite assurances that he would never trouble her again, the triple murderer rang her up to five times a week for nearly four years.
At times he issued terrifying veiled threats, which coincided with a series of sickening attacks on her animals. In the worst incident, a horse’s head was hacked at with an axe the night before she was due to give evidence against him.
On another occasion, days after Mrs Cartwright’s husband had resisted giving Roberts a character reference, another of her horses was attacked and had to be put down.
‘He suspected we were the ones he called the “secret witnesses”. But he didn’t know for sure,’ she said. ‘The advice from the Prison Service was to make it seem as if we were still friends.’
In other assaults between 2002 and 2006, a horse lost an eye after being battered with an iron bar; a donkey died after its pelvis was shattered, probably with a baseball bat; the family’s pet cat was electrocuted, and a peacock was strangled.
Roberts, now 72, also coerced Mrs Cartwright to visit him in person, often so he could repeat his threats face-to-face.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1171773/Police-killer-Harry-Robertss-year-terror-campaign-silence-woman-kept-bars.htmlAt times he issued terrifying veiled threats, which coincided with a series of sickening attacks on her animals. In the worst incident, a horse’s head was hacked at with an axe the night before she was due to give evidence against him.
On another occasion, days after Mrs Cartwright’s husband had resisted giving Roberts a character reference, another of her horses was attacked and had to be put down.
‘He suspected we were the ones he called the “secret witnesses”. But he didn’t know for sure,’ she said. ‘The advice from the Prison Service was to make it seem as if we were still friends.’
In other assaults between 2002 and 2006, a horse lost an eye after being battered with an iron bar; a donkey died after its pelvis was shattered, probably with a baseball bat; the family’s pet cat was electrocuted, and a peacock was strangled.
Roberts, now 72, also coerced Mrs Cartwright to visit him in person, often so he could repeat his threats face-to-face.
I'm surprised someone who'd been in prison so long was still able to command that sort of behaviour, like why would anyone outside of prison even do any of this for him, what's in it for them?
Subhuman scum like this should be exterminated for the good of the species, and it sounds as though he'll probably walk. It sounds like he is still a dangerous and deranged individual. Harry Roberts is truly the lowest of the low, a base creature who acts without thought or reason. Like a sick dog, he should have been put down years ago.
Baryonyx said:
Subhuman scum like this should be exterminated for the good of the species, and it sounds as though he'll probably walk. It sounds like he is still a dangerous and deranged individual. Harry Roberts is truly the lowest of the low, a base creature who acts without thought or reason. Like a sick dog, he should have been put down years ago.
Yes, but without sitting on the fence what do you think?Others have been released who have killed coppers along the way. One that still sparks some anger 'up north@ is the release of Fred Sewell who killed Gerry Richardson in the early 70's. He was released at the end (I think) of his 30 year sentence in 2001.
Along the way and whilst in prison he is said to have amassed a considerable income from property deals.
Along the way and whilst in prison he is said to have amassed a considerable income from property deals.
I was a teenager in London when this crime happened. Times were very different then and people were no so inured to violence. The shock in London was intense. There was genuine and widespread outrage. As I recall the crime was in Shepherd's Bush, One of the papers,maybe the Mirror,published graphic photos of the victims lying on the street. If,as reported he is not a reformed character it is hard to justify his release. Of course,he must be heading for 80,so may not be a threat to society.
Derek Smith said:
Whether this will "spark considerable anger . . . " etc is arguable.
The man, according to Wiki:
". . . was convicted of all three murders and sentenced to life imprisonment with a recommended minimum term of 30 years. The murders occurred just eight months after the Murder (Abolition of Death Penalty) Act 1965 suspended the death penalty in England, Wales and Scotland and substituted a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment. While in prison, Roberts made several attempts to escape.
"In 2001, he was moved to an open prison. However, Roberts was returned to a closed prison within months after allegations that he was involved in drug dealing and contraband smuggling. Author Kate Kray, who interviewed Roberts for her book Natural Born Killers, said that he has no remorse for his victims and recreates the murders in art and pastry decorations, making apple pies and decorating them with pastry cut-outs of policemen being shot. Kray said that he also produces "precisely drawn and coloured" paintings depicting someone shooting a policeman."
There was a massive furore at the time over the death penalty being effectively removed as a penalty.
He was then a really nasty bit of work and according to Natural Born Killers remains so.
I'm not sure just being old is a reason to let him out of prison.
Crikey. How did he get parole if he's blatantly showing no remorse?The man, according to Wiki:
". . . was convicted of all three murders and sentenced to life imprisonment with a recommended minimum term of 30 years. The murders occurred just eight months after the Murder (Abolition of Death Penalty) Act 1965 suspended the death penalty in England, Wales and Scotland and substituted a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment. While in prison, Roberts made several attempts to escape.
"In 2001, he was moved to an open prison. However, Roberts was returned to a closed prison within months after allegations that he was involved in drug dealing and contraband smuggling. Author Kate Kray, who interviewed Roberts for her book Natural Born Killers, said that he has no remorse for his victims and recreates the murders in art and pastry decorations, making apple pies and decorating them with pastry cut-outs of policemen being shot. Kray said that he also produces "precisely drawn and coloured" paintings depicting someone shooting a policeman."
There was a massive furore at the time over the death penalty being effectively removed as a penalty.
He was then a really nasty bit of work and according to Natural Born Killers remains so.
I'm not sure just being old is a reason to let him out of prison.
RDMcG said:
I was a teenager in London when this crime happened. Times were very different then and people were no so inured to violence. The shock in London was intense. There was genuine and widespread outrage. As I recall the crime was in Shepherd's Bush, One of the papers,maybe the Mirror,published graphic photos of the victims lying on the street. If,as reported he is not a reformed character it is hard to justify his release. Of course,he must be heading for 80,so may not be a threat to society.
I think you forgot the shock and outrage that Dale Cregan caused a few months ago. Killing of Police is always shocking. In my mind he should die inside, however I am of the view that if you kill in cold blood you shouldn't ever be a free man again. Edited by RemyMartin on Thursday 23 October 13:04
hornetrider said:
Derek Smith said:
Whether this will "spark considerable anger . . . " etc is arguable.
The man, according to Wiki:
". . . was convicted of all three murders and sentenced to life imprisonment with a recommended minimum term of 30 years. The murders occurred just eight months after the Murder (Abolition of Death Penalty) Act 1965 suspended the death penalty in England, Wales and Scotland and substituted a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment. While in prison, Roberts made several attempts to escape.
"In 2001, he was moved to an open prison. However, Roberts was returned to a closed prison within months after allegations that he was involved in drug dealing and contraband smuggling. Author Kate Kray, who interviewed Roberts for her book Natural Born Killers, said that he has no remorse for his victims and recreates the murders in art and pastry decorations, making apple pies and decorating them with pastry cut-outs of policemen being shot. Kray said that he also produces "precisely drawn and coloured" paintings depicting someone shooting a policeman."
There was a massive furore at the time over the death penalty being effectively removed as a penalty.
He was then a really nasty bit of work and according to Natural Born Killers remains so.
I'm not sure just being old is a reason to let him out of prison.
Crikey. How did he get parole if he's blatantly showing no remorse?The man, according to Wiki:
". . . was convicted of all three murders and sentenced to life imprisonment with a recommended minimum term of 30 years. The murders occurred just eight months after the Murder (Abolition of Death Penalty) Act 1965 suspended the death penalty in England, Wales and Scotland and substituted a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment. While in prison, Roberts made several attempts to escape.
"In 2001, he was moved to an open prison. However, Roberts was returned to a closed prison within months after allegations that he was involved in drug dealing and contraband smuggling. Author Kate Kray, who interviewed Roberts for her book Natural Born Killers, said that he has no remorse for his victims and recreates the murders in art and pastry decorations, making apple pies and decorating them with pastry cut-outs of policemen being shot. Kray said that he also produces "precisely drawn and coloured" paintings depicting someone shooting a policeman."
There was a massive furore at the time over the death penalty being effectively removed as a penalty.
He was then a really nasty bit of work and according to Natural Born Killers remains so.
I'm not sure just being old is a reason to let him out of prison.
hornetrider said:
Derek Smith said:
Whether this will "spark considerable anger . . . " etc is arguable.
The man, according to Wiki:
". . . was convicted of all three murders and sentenced to life imprisonment with a recommended minimum term of 30 years. The murders occurred just eight months after the Murder (Abolition of Death Penalty) Act 1965 suspended the death penalty in England, Wales and Scotland and substituted a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment. While in prison, Roberts made several attempts to escape.
"In 2001, he was moved to an open prison. However, Roberts was returned to a closed prison within months after allegations that he was involved in drug dealing and contraband smuggling. Author Kate Kray, who interviewed Roberts for her book Natural Born Killers, said that he has no remorse for his victims and recreates the murders in art and pastry decorations, making apple pies and decorating them with pastry cut-outs of policemen being shot. Kray said that he also produces "precisely drawn and coloured" paintings depicting someone shooting a policeman."
There was a massive furore at the time over the death penalty being effectively removed as a penalty.
He was then a really nasty bit of work and according to Natural Born Killers remains so.
I'm not sure just being old is a reason to let him out of prison.
Crikey. How did he get parole if he's blatantly showing no remorse?The man, according to Wiki:
". . . was convicted of all three murders and sentenced to life imprisonment with a recommended minimum term of 30 years. The murders occurred just eight months after the Murder (Abolition of Death Penalty) Act 1965 suspended the death penalty in England, Wales and Scotland and substituted a mandatory sentence of life imprisonment. While in prison, Roberts made several attempts to escape.
"In 2001, he was moved to an open prison. However, Roberts was returned to a closed prison within months after allegations that he was involved in drug dealing and contraband smuggling. Author Kate Kray, who interviewed Roberts for her book Natural Born Killers, said that he has no remorse for his victims and recreates the murders in art and pastry decorations, making apple pies and decorating them with pastry cut-outs of policemen being shot. Kray said that he also produces "precisely drawn and coloured" paintings depicting someone shooting a policeman."
There was a massive furore at the time over the death penalty being effectively removed as a penalty.
He was then a really nasty bit of work and according to Natural Born Killers remains so.
I'm not sure just being old is a reason to let him out of prison.
RemyMartin said:
I think you forgot the shock and outrage that Dale Cregan caused a few months ago. Killing of Police is always shocking. In my mind he should die inside, however I am of the view that if you kill in cold blood you shouldn't ever be a free man again.
Serious question: why is killing of the police always portrayed as so much worse than a killing of a civilian?Edited by RemyMartin on Thursday 23 October 13:04
The Met's Chief Constable apparently tweeted his disgust at Roberts' release after 48 years. I bet he wouldn't have served that long if he had shot three plumbers and I've never known of a CC to tweet about specific cases before.
Edinburger said:
Serious question: why is killing of the police always portrayed as so much worse than a killing of a civilian?
The Met's Chief Constable apparently tweeted his disgust at Roberts' release after 48 years. I bet he wouldn't have served that long if he had shot three plumbers and I've never known of a CC to tweet about specific cases before.
"Stop right where you are! You know the score, pal! You're not a cop, you're 'little people.' "The Met's Chief Constable apparently tweeted his disgust at Roberts' release after 48 years. I bet he wouldn't have served that long if he had shot three plumbers and I've never known of a CC to tweet about specific cases before.
(Blade Runner)
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