"The notorious killer of three police officers in west London in the 1960s has died. Harry Roberts was jailed for life for shooting dead three unarmed officers in Shepherd's Bush in 1966, before being released on licence in 2014. He had been living in sheltered accommodation in Peterborough after his release, the Sun reported. He died in hospital last Saturday after a short illness, the newspaper said."
"The brutality of the attack caused nationwide shock at a time when armed violence against police was exceptionally rare. The murders took place on 12 August 1966 as Roberts opened fire without warning on Sergeant Christopher Head, 30, Detective Constable David Wombwell, 25, and Pc Geoffrey Fox, 41, who had stopped him and two associates John Duddy and John Witney in their van. The killings led to a 96-day manhunt, one of the most extensive in British policing history."
"Capital punishment had been abolished the previous year, but the judge described the murders as the most heinous crime for a generation or more and imposed a life sentence with a minimum tariff of 30 years. Duddy and Witney both died years earlier. The case remains a defining reference point in discussions about sentencing, policing and public protection in the UK. "The life sentence for their loved ones still continues. "Life should mean life if you murder a police officer in the course of their duties - Roberts should never have been freed.""
Harry Roberts shot dead three unarmed police officers in Shepherd's Bush on 12 August 1966. The victims were Sergeant Christopher Head, 30; Detective Constable David Wombwell, 25; and Pc Geoffrey Fox, 41. Roberts opened fire after the officers stopped him and two associates, John Duddy and John Witney, in a van. A 96-day manhunt followed and Roberts used his former military training to evade capture before being found sleeping rough in Hertfordshire. He was convicted at the Old Bailey and given a life sentence with a 30-year minimum tariff. Roberts was released on licence in 2014, later lived in sheltered accommodation, and died in hospital after a short illness. The case influenced debate on sentencing, parole and police protection.
Read at www.standard.co.uk
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