Double murder case of two 11 year-old boys in Whiston in 1980 re-opened
Police have reopened an unsolved case in which two 11-year-olds were murdered in Merseyside more than three decades ago.
Police have reopened an unsolved case in which two 11-year-olds were murdered in Merseyside more than three decades ago.
Best friends Gary Miller and John Greenwood were found battered and dying in a rubbish tip in Whiston, near Liverpool, on August 16 1980. Both were taken to hospital but died in the following days as a result of head injuries, a post-mortem examination concluded.
John Cheeseman, who was mentally disabled, was tried for their murders in 1981 but found not guilty.
The cold case is understood to have been revisited because of new evidence unearthed by The Sunday Times.
Speaking on behalf of both families, John Greenwood's sister Deborah Lewis, said:
"Losing the boys in such an horrific way was devastating for both families and has been heartbreaking to cope with.
"The fact that no-one has been convicted for their murders has made it so much harder.
"For 36 years we have lived with the frustration and the fear that we could be sitting next to their killer on a bus, or walking past them on the street.
"The murder of a child in a family causes so much pain to everyone, the very least we deserve is to find the evil person that did this and put them behind bars.''
Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Richardson said:
"New information has come into the police in the last month and we want to take this opportunity to appeal to people who may be able help us find the person, or people, responsible for the murders of two 11-year-old friends 36 years ago.
"We are particularly interested in talking to anyone who may have seen a man with three young boys, aged between 12 and 14 years, near to the church hall on Dragon Lane, Whiston, between 6.45pm and 7.20pm on Saturday August 16.
"Two of the boys who were seen with the man were stood on the wall of the church hall and one was in the grounds of the church hall. Were you one of the three boys? If so please come forward and talk to us.''
Anyone with information is asked to contact investigators on 0151 777 3100, or the independent Crimestoppers hotline on 0800 555 111.