Carl Bridgewater: Author's book sheds new light on murder
A Midlands author who says he has uncovered evidence which sheds new light on the unsolved murder of paperboy Carl Bridgewater has detailed his findings in a book which has taken nearly two years to write.
True crime writer Simon Golding was heavily involved in a recent Channel 4 documentary in which Bert Spencer – a convicted murderer who has lived under a cloud of suspicion that he killed 13-year-old Carl – was interviewed by a top criminologist.
Spencer vociferously denied any involvement in the 1978 killing, for which four men who became known as the Bridgewater Four were convicted. They were subsequently cleared by the Court of Appeal in 1997.
Carl is thought to have disturbed burglars while delivering a paper to Yew Tree Farm, Prestwood, between Stourbridge and Bridgnorth and was shot dead at point blank range.
Golding's book is called Scapegoat for Murder: The Truth About the Killing of Carl Bridgewater and was originally due to be launched last September, but he was approached by the television team and worked closely with them agreeing to delay publication until after the documentary was broadcast this month.
It takes its scapegoat title from a phrase often used by Spencer.
Golding, who lives in Bridgnorth, said: "It is a misconception that I am in any way in support of Bert Spencer. My only loyalty was to the truth and to try to seek justice for the violent and senseless murder of a 13-year-old boy.
"This story is so very tragic and close to my heart. I lived in Stourton and could see Yew Tree Farm, where the murder took place, from my attic bedroom at age 16 and watched the police combing the area for clues.
"I knew a few of the witnesses, together with the doctor who first found Carl's dead body. Carl's father worked for my late father and I had worked next to Brian Bridgewater before I became a journalist, writer and producer in 1994, so it was somewhat personal to me."
The book, he says, was written neither to exonerate nor incriminate Spencer.
"Although my book looks honestly into the case it is up to the reader to make their minds up.
"I built up an odd friendship with Spencer and he found out I was a writer. I started writing the book and tried to be objective."
He said the book was currently selling very well and was number eight in the Amazon bestseller list for true crime.
