The A6 Murder...

Fifty-three years ago tomorrow (4th April, 1962), James Hanratty was hanged at Bedford Jail, just north of London.  Hanratty was found guilty of the murder of Michael Gregsten, and the rape and attempted murder of Gregsten's mistress, Valerie Storie.  The case has caused much discussion


Hanratty was accused of abducting the couple, and committing the crimes in a lay-by on the A6 in Bedfordshire.  There was very little in the way of evidence, other than simple identification, but that was enough to convict the 25-year-old.  On the morning of his execution, Hanratty wrote to his family, pleading his innocence, and asking them to fight to clear his name.

For many years, strong doubts existed about the truth, and a man Peter Alphon even confessed to the crime - several times.  Since then, Alphon has stated that he did not do it.

With all the doubt, the general feeling was that Hanratty was indeed wrongly executed, but recent tests found that Hanratty's DNA was found at the crime scene.  So, now it seems that the initial verdict was correct, but I'm sure that not everyone will be satisfied, and that the case will remain one of Britain's most talked-about - and hotly disputed - cases in British legal history.