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The Murder of Judith Roberts (Hardback)

The Mark of Peter Sutcliffe

P&S History > True Crime

By Chris Clark, Tanita Matthews
Imprint: Pen & Sword True Crime
Pages: 248
Illustrations: 12 mono illustrations
ISBN: 9781399080125
Published: 30th September 2024

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In the Summer of 1972, 14-year-old Judith Roberts took off for a bike ride within the vicinity of her Staffordshire home. Her body was discovered after a three-day manhunt, concealed from view in a thick privet having been brutally attacked. The community of Tamworth was rocked by the news of her death and an outcry for justice ensued.

Within weeks of her murder, an impressionable and troubled soldier, based in the nearby barracks, 17-year-old Andrew Evans, walked into a police station and confessed to the killing. Relentlessly interviewed for hours on end without representation or an appropriate adult present, Andrew was swiftly charged with Judith's murder. Despite attempting to recount his statement and a legal defence at trial that defied the prosecution's arguments that Andrew Evans was guilty, a judge sentenced him to life behind bars. He was eventually acquitted in 1997 in what was, at the time, Britain's longest miscarriage of justice.

While Andrew Evans fought for his freedom, another man drove up and down England undetected: Peter William Sutcliffe. Eventually proven capable of inflicting unimaginable horror at any given opportunity, an independent inquiry dubbed him likely responsible for more murders than the 13 he was convicted of and the seven others he attempted between 1975 and 1980.

In The Murder of Judith Roberts, Chris Clark and Tanita Matthews examine evidence that concludes that Sutcliffe, whose violent criminal history dates back as far as 1969, was the real culprit responsible for Judith's murder. With never before-published dialogue from Andrew Evans' police interviews showing the grave miscarriage of justice, the case file of the five-decade cold case is examined under a new light.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

This was a respectfully written true crime nonfiction book, it had that educational element that I was looking for. Chris Clark and Tanita Matthews wrote this perfectly and you could tell the research was done perfectly. I didn't know a lot about this case and thought it was researched well and glad I was able to learn about this.

NetGalley, Kathryn McLeer

This is a well written, well researched book. It’s obvious that there are gaping holes in the investigation and particularly the interviews of Evans. These were clearly definite failings but it is meticulously documented in this book. I enjoyed reading it and it was excellent and easy to follow the theory surrounding the case. A great read and the introduction of Sutcliffe is definitely food for thought.

NetGalley, steve cripwell

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

I’m a big fan of true crime and this title was of particular interest as I lived near the area at the time of Judith Roberts murder and recall the case. This book is a real eye opener. I remember there were doubts about the conviction of Evan’s at the time and an innocent man spent many years incarcerated, trying to prove his innocence. But what was worse was that the real killer was still at large, free to continue his killing spree.

I find it disgraceful the Laurence Byford’s report was suppressed for decades. That’s so wrong. There has long been a belief that Sutcliffe was responsible for numerous other murders. These have not been fully explored but this book makes a truly compelling case. It deserves a wide audience.
Clark is a former police intelligence officer. He and his Co author have conducted extensive and meticulous research including an independent pathologist review of evidence. This is a story which reads like a thriller, but it’s chilling as it’s all true and the people are real. Detailed and well written a must for true crime enthusiasts but also a fascinating slice of very recent social history.

NetGalley, Anita Wallas

A very interesting book which goes into incredible detail about police procedures and the law as it was at the time of the crimes. I enjoyed reading the theories and how the authors came to their positions on the cases. It seemed very well researched and thought through. As always with Chris Clark’s work, the victims are treated respectfully and their importance never forgotten.

NetGalley, Louise Gray

About Chris Clark

Chris Clark, a war baby, was born in West Norfolk and raised at various RAF Stations, including Benson in Oxfordshire and Changi in Singapore, before his family settled in the village of Dersingham, Norfolk. He joined Norfolk Constabulary as a Police Constable in the Heart Beat era during March 1966 and had diverse roles within the uniform branch. He is heavily involved in family history research and is in the throes of writing a further book on the Royal Air Force and an autobiography of his experiences as a police officer, with a further book on unsolved crimes in the pipeline.


About Tanita Matthews

Tanita Matthews is a freelance television producer and journalist. Born in the Midlands, she resides on the South coast.


Tanita's career started as a trainee reporter working for a local newspaper in Dorset, before choosing to focus on crime reporting. Tanita spent three years writing for 'Real Crime' magazine (Future PLC) where she finished up as Investigations Editor for the national publication. During those three years Tanita covered every corner of the globe, recounting the world's most famous cold cases, interviewing individuals from all sides of the justice system and developed an interest in documentaries and film making. A contributor for 'Voice of a Serial Killer' (Season 3; CBS Reality) she made the decision to become a freelancer so she could focus on her passion for investigative journalism, truth and justice for victims and their families.


After five years of working in television, Tanita's credits include: 'Crimewatch Roadshow' (BBC Studios), 'The Real Prime Suspect' (Monster Films, CBS Reality) 'Yorkshire Ripper: The Secret Murders' (Impossible Factual, ITV), 'Murder; First On Scene (Phoenix Television, CBS Reality) and 'See No Evil' (Arrow Media, Investigation Discovery).

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