New evidence has emerged in the disappearance of British toddler Cheryl Grimmer, prompting her family to accuse Australian authorities of a “catastrophic failure”. The man suspected of snatching three-year-old Cheryl from Fairy Meadow beach in 1970, known only by the codename ‘Mercury’, reportedly wanted to see police officers in 1971 to make a full confession, after seeking advice from an adult carer.
Family insists confession is admissible
The family maintains that the interview, ruled inadmissible by an Australian judge, was obtained legally and can be used as evidence. They are demanding that ‘Mercury’ be charged and brought to trial immediately.
Cheryl’s cousin Michael Grimmer said: “The decision to drop the prosecution of prime suspect ‘Mercury’ relies on a single legal pillar: that the 1971 police interview was ‘unfair’ and inadmissible because a support person was not physically present in the room.”
He added: “This position is entirely contrary to clear law and the factual record. The record is explicit: ‘Mercury’ instigated the interview himself to get the crime off his chest.”
Legal argument over support person
Grimmer continued: “Furthermore, under current police regulations, a suspect is entitled to prior consultation or support during questioning, but is not entitled to both. ‘Mercury’ discussed the matter with his carer prior to the interview - completely satisfying the protective rationale of the safeguard. There was zero functional unfairness to him.”
Cheryl vanished from Fairy Meadow beach in Wollongong, New South Wales, in January 1970. The family had only recently moved from the UK, with parents Carole and Vince and brothers Ricki, Stephen and Paul hailing from Bristol. Her body has never been found despite a lengthy search involving hundreds of police and volunteers.
Family writes to NSW leaders
‘Mercury’, who was born in Manchester, confessed to killing her, but because no lawyer or adult was present during the interview, a judge ruled he could not be charged. He still lives in Australia but now refuses to help police with their inquiries.
Last week the family wrote to New South Wales Premier Chris Minns and Attorney General Michael Daley, demanding they use their “powers” to override prosecutors and “reinstate an adult criminal trial against the prime suspect”.
Dr Grimmer, from Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, said: “The court’s one-sided, accused-centric analysis stands as a profound moral and legal miscarriage.” He added: “The true, overwhelming unfairness in this case was inflicted entirely upon Cheryl. Mercury’s own corroborated confession describes a horrific, cold-blooded act of mature criminal sophistication: the targeted abduction, physical restraint, and brutal fatal strangulation of a defenceless three-year-old toddler.”
