Carl Bridgewater murder: Watch our exclusive interview with former suspect
"They promised to show the good, the bad and the ugly – we only got the ugly."
After nearly four decades of whispers and finger-pointing, Bert Spencer has decided to fight back following a damning documentary which appears to cast doubt on his alibi and his personality.
He says he cannot afford to sue but in a turning of the tables, he wants criminal charges brought against his accusers.
The move comes as politicians and his ex-wife call for a new investigation into the appalling crime that shocked the nation and led to the wrongful conviction of the Bridgewater Four.
The pensioner, who was 40 when he first became a suspect in the murder investigation, agreed to be filmed by Channel 4 ahead of a biography, Scapegoat For Murder, due out this month telling his side of the story.
But he was shocked when the programme makers also interviewed his first wife Janet Spencer who questioned his innocence.
The documentary also shows Barbara Riebold, a secretary at Corbett Hospital where the ambulance officer was based, who provided him with what he has always called a 'cast-iron' alibi, admit she could not vouch for his whereabouts during the whole eight-hour shift.
Professor David Wilson, based at Birmingham City University, conducted a P-scan test, widely used by the police to assess the criminal mind and found him to have a score in the high range which he said was 'a cause for serious concern', describing him as 'a psychopath and a liar'.
Mr Spencer has spoken of his 'week from hell' since the programme was broadcast, fearing he may be forced to move from his Lincolnshire bungalow, opposite Holbeach St Marks C Of E Primary School, after parents voiced concerns over their children's safety. Headteacher Karyn Wiles visited him in his home after he complained to her about children throwing stones at his house.
He has offered to meet them with police and school staff to allay their concerns.
He said: "The parents have complained it's unsafe to have an alleged child killer living opposite a school and that came from Karyn Wiles, the headteacher so I'm really under threat. I might have to leave my home through the allegations."
Mr Spencer has always denied being involved in the murder, although he conceded in the programme that the similarities to the murder of Hubert Wilkes for which he was jailed for 15 years, were 'eerie'.
He said he would not welcome a re-opening of the Carl Bridgewater case but would co-operate fully with it, and would not hide from further questioning about the case.
"I never will, no matter how difficult times like these become," he said.
"I did not have to take part in the Channel 4 documentary but agreed to do so to end the scurrilous allegations I have had to live with for almost half my life.
"None of these allegations made by David Wilson would pass muster in a court of law and it seems to me that he was put his professional reputation in jeopardy." He said that Janet Spencer had never before questioned any aspect of Barbara Riebold's alibi. "If what she says in the documentary was true, she would certainly have reported it at that most appropriate time 38 years ago," he said.
The Smethwick-born former ambulanceman was quizzed as part of the original police inquiry, and doubts re-emerged following the release of the Bridgewater Four.
Mrs Spencer, who was never interviewed by police because the spotlight quickly shifted to the four men who were subsequently wrongly jailed, claimed he acted suspiciously in the hours and days following the shooting.
He says the TV documentary, Interview With a Murderer, has gone too far. He described new revelations in the film as 'lies' and 'an attempt to deceive' viewers.
He said: "I categorically deny all of these allegations, even though some of them appear to be completely nonsensical. I don't know what charges can be brought but I suggest interfering or perverting the course of justice." He said the claims appeared to be designed at causing him 'maximum damage.'
Headteacher Karyn Wiles said today: "In the course of my duties –I communicate with numerous members of the public on a wide range of issues. The safety and wellbeing of our pupils is very important, and we have measures in place to keep them safe at school. We are aware of accusations made against one of our neighbours, but would like to reassure parents that we operate a stringent safeguarding policy and prioritise the safety of our children every day."