A thorn in their side
Subtitle: the Hilda Murrell murder
By: Robert Green with Kate Dewes
Contributors: Dewes, Kate
Publisher: Rata Books
Published: 2011
Place of publication: Christchurch, N.Z
Language: eng
Number of pages: 209
ISBN-13: 9780473196851
Subjects: Murder; Investigation
Description: A Thorn in Their Side is Robert Green's extraordinary pursuit of the truth about how and why his aunt Hilda Murrell, a noted English rose grower, met a violent and bizarre death. In 1984, at the age of 78, Hilda Murrell was found brutally murdered in the Shropshire countryside. She had just gained approval to testify on the unsolved problems of radioactive waste at the first British planning inquiry into a new nuclear power plant. The police theory that a lone, panicking burglar robbed and abducted Hilda in her own car for petty cash erupted into a sensational political conspiracy involving PM Margaret Thatcher's plans for British nuclear energy and the controversial sinking of the Argentine cruiser General Belgrano in the 1982 Falklands War. The West Mercia Police, accused of initial negligence, a bungled investigation and ignoring key evidence, took until 2005 to secure the conviction of Andrew George as Hilda's unlikely murderer - in 1984 he was a 16-year-old truant from a local foster home who could not drive. The case has spawned numerous books, plays and TV programmes as it became one of the most baffling British murders of the 20th century. Now Robert Green exposes the implausibility of the police theory; how key witnesses were leant on to change statements, and information suggesting political motives was dismissed. He has also uncovered explosive new evidence that George should have been acquitted.
Notes: Includes bibliographical references (p. 200-202) and index.
Table of contents: title: 1. Much more than my aunt; title: 2. The first week; title: 3. More than a burglary gone wrong; title: 4. Dalyell's explosive allegation; title: 5. Conspiracy theories strengthen; title: 6. Inconvenient evidence; title: 7. Complicating developments; title: 8. Stalker, Smith and intimidation; title: 9. Cold case review; title: 10. The trial; title: 11. A stitch-up; title: 12. Other related victims; title: 13. Case closed?; title: 14. Wild cards and facing facts.