Harry Roberts, one of Britain's most notorious criminals who murdered three police officers in 1966, has died at the age of 89. His death closes a chapter on a case that profoundly shocked the nation and influenced decades of debate on justice and parole.
The Shepherd's Bush Murders That Shocked a Nation
On 12 August 1966, in Shepherd's Bush, west London, three police officers were brutally gunned down. Detective Sergeant Christopher Head, 30, Detective Constable David Wombwell, 25, and PC Geoffrey Fox, 41, had stopped a van for a routine check.
The van contained Roberts and his two associates, John Duddy and John Witney. Without any warning, Roberts opened fire. He killed DC Wombwell immediately and shot DS Head in the back. PC Fox, who was sitting inside an unmarked police car, was shot through the windscreen.
This act of extreme violence against police officers was exceptionally rare at the time, sending waves of shock across the entire country.
The Historic 96-Day Manhunt and Capture
The killings triggered one of the largest and most intensive manhunts in British history. It lasted for 96 days before Roberts was finally captured.
Using skills from his former military training, Roberts managed to evade a massive police search. He was eventually discovered sleeping rough in Hertfordshire. All three men were tried and convicted at the Old Bailey.
With capital punishment abolished just the year before, the judge handed down life sentences. He described the murders as "the most heinous crime for a generation or more" and set a minimum tariff of 30 years for Roberts.
A Legacy of Controversy Over Sentencing
Harry Roberts served 48 years in prison before being released on licence in 2014. He had been living in sheltered accommodation in Peterborough prior to his death in hospital after a short illness, as reported.
His release in 2014 caused significant anger within the police service, a sentiment reignited by news of his death. Roberts had repeatedly been denied parole due to concerns over his behaviour and associations.
Matt Cane, general secretary of the Metropolitan Police Federation, stated: "The three officers murdered by Roberts never got a chance to grow old. 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."
His co-defendants, John Duddy and John Witney, both died years earlier. The Roberts case remains a pivotal reference point in UK discussions about:
- Sentencing and the meaning of a 'life' term
- Parole and public protection
- The risks faced by police officers
The death of Harry Roberts brings a final end to a story that left an indelible mark on British criminal justice and policing history.
