Triple cop killer released from prison – despite judge saying he should never be freed

He's been behind bars for 48 years but on Monday night Harry Roberts walked out of Littlehey prison, a free man.

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by Megan Sirisena |
Published on

The man responsible for the Braybrook Massacre in 1966 is now 78 years old and was cleared for release by parole chiefs last month.

For gunning down 3 police officers, Roberts should have gotten the death penalty but instead was jailed for life.

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The judge at his 1966 trial, noting his lack of remorse, insisted that he should never be freed. A ruling that seems to have been rejected by today's justice system.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Justice attempted to reassure the public, stating: “Offenders on life sentences are subject to strict controls for as long as their risk requires them. If they fail to comply with these conditions they can be immediately returned to prison."

Harry Roberts was arrested in 1966 for the murder of Detective Seargent Christopher Tippett Head, DC David Bertram Wombwell and PC Geoffrey Roger Fox.
Harry Roberts was arrested in 1966 for the murder of Detective Seargent Christopher Tippett Head, DC David Bertram Wombwell and PC Geoffrey Roger Fox.

But this came as little consolation to detective constable David Wombwell's widow, Gillian, who argues that 'it (was) incomprehensible. It makes a mockery of the system. He should never be allowed out.

“He should die behind bars. Our family has faced life - he should too," she insisted.

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Unsurprisingly, Roberts disagree. In an interview he gave from prison 6 years past, he stated: “Of course I regret it. If anyone had killed my mother I’d never have forgiven them.

“I totally understand why the families could never forgive me and wouldn’t want me released. But I feel I’ve served my time.”

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The decision has been met with much controversy, with big-wig politicians weighing in with their two cents. Home secretary, Theresa May, and London mayor, Boris Johnson, sided with the families of detective sergeant Christopher Head, constable Geoffrey Fox and PC Wombwell in their opinion that Roberts should remain in prison.

Alternatively, Deputy prime minister Nick Clegg backed the release him, saying that decision is not about ‘feelings’ but ‘how the justice system works’.

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