Top cop takes reins of historic missing boy case
KILLER’S IDENTITY STILL A MYSTERY
A NEW detective has been put in charge of the probe into the unsolved murder of schoolboy Allan Graham.
It has now been more than 50 years since the 11-year-old was found dead in a ditch, 24 hours after going missing from Newcastle’s West End.
But no one has ever been brought to justice for the mysterious killing.
Allan’s brother, Fred Baron, has never given up hope that one day he will find out who was responsible for the senseless murder.
And he has today welcomed the move that one of Northumbria Police’s top murder detectives has been put in charge of the case.
Det Chief Insp Jane Fairlamb will now oversee the new investigation into Allan’s murder.
And Fred says he hopes having a new top cop in charge could bring a breakthrough.
The 78-year-old said: “I think having a fresh head on it and a fresh pair of eyes might help. She might have a different approach to it.”
Allan, who lived in Gateshead with his mother, Mary Walls, had been spending the weekend at the home of another brother, Dennis Baron, in Benwell, Newcastle, when he disappeared.
He made the short walk from the house on Gerald Street to a sweet shop at the bottom of the road on the afternoon of Saturday, January 24, 1970 but was never seen alive again.
Allan was found strangled in a water-filled ditch at Callerton Grange Farm, near Ponteland, the next day.
It was thought he had been lured to his death as he walked the 50 yards back to his brother’s house.
A huge murder probe was launched, but the identity of Allan’s killer remains a mystery.
Northumbria Police detectives have been reviewing Allan’s case since our sister paper The Chronicle highlighted it as part of an Unsolved Crimes series in 2014 – which prompted a new witness to come forward.
Det Chief Insp Fairlamb, of Northumbria Police’s Homicide and Major Enquiry Team, has now taken over the role of senior investigating officer on the case following the retirement of Andy Fairlamb, in September.
She said: “This murder may have taken place 50 years ago but the investigation into Allan’s death is not closed.
“Unsolved murders are never closed and are all subject to periodic reviews. If any new information comes to light about any case, our detectives make sure that it is fully investigated.”
Fred added: “I would be really keen to meet Jane Fairlamb and tell her all about Allan and what I have been through. It’s still as important to me as it was 50 years ago.”
This murder may have taken place 50 years ago but the investigation into Allan’s death is not closed
DET CHIEF INSP JANE FAIRLAMB