Murder probe six years on
INVESTIGATION CHIEF APPEALS TO MURDERER SIX YEARS ON
IT’S six years since one of the largest murder investigations ever seen on Tyneside began.
Yet detectives are still baffled by the brutal murder of John ‘the Badge’ Roberts, found beaten to death inside his Winlaton home.
The investigation continues, however, and today, police have sent a message to the killer: ‘Hand yourself in and give John’s family the justice they deserve.’
Devoted Newcastle United fan John – known to many as a seller of pin badges on match days – was discovered when two patrol officers noticed the door of his house on Park Terrace had been left open on December 16, 2012.
Inside, they found the 32-year-old dead, having suffered severe head injuries.
The murder probe which was then launched now stands as one of the biggest Northumbria Police have ever worked on.
John’s picture was handed out to thousands of football fans at St James’ Park, as detectives sought to see whether members of the Toon Army could hold a key clue.
In the months that followed, hundreds of house-to-house visits were made, and there were even several arrests.
But no one was ever charged with the killing.
It’s a case that Northumbria Police Detective Superintendent Lisa Theaker says she’s still determined to solve.
On the anniversary of John’s death, Det Supt Theaker issued a fresh appeal for anything that could put her officers on to the trail of his killer.
She said: “This murder may have taken place six years ago but the investigation into John’s death is not closed and it never will be until we catch those responsible. “We know that a lot can happen in six years but I would urge anyone who might have any information about what happened to come forward, even if you think the information you have might be insignificant or irrelevant, we will act on all new information.”
The murder may have taken place six years ago but the investigation into John’s death is not closed
The last known sighting of him alive was on December 15 at 6.30pm at the Kandola Bros store in Winlaton.
Staff said John had seemed his usual self, chatting and scanning the back pages of The Chronicle.
But the next thing that is known for certain about dad-of-one John, who had grown a distinctive beard and long hair in the months before he died, is that he was dead when police passed his house the following day.
In February of 2013, four people were arrested on suspicion of murder, and released on bail. Then, in April, another two arrests on suspicion of murder were made.
But by September that year, police had confirmed all of the suspects had been told they faced no further police action.
Det Supt Theaker has urged whoever killed John to “stop looking over your shoulder” and confess to the officers who are continuing to search for them.
“For the person responsible, living with a murder on your shoulders can be terrifying.
“Stop looking over your shoulder and hand yourself in to police,” she said.
“John’s family have already suffered through six long years without him and without knowing who did this to him. They deserve to see the person responsible held to account and brought to justice.”
Anyone who has information is asked to contact police on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.