These killings resulted in the Police Dependants Trust being set up and my dad collected local donations. Billy Butlin gave a substantial sum of money and people at the hospital where I was working were keen to donate. It was a crime that really shocked people. I think that being chucked out into the ordinary world after so many years inside will be pretty tough, so I feel neutral on this one.
No problem with someone who has done his crime being released after 48 years. Do have a problem that at his parole 5 years ago he was seen to be unfit for release, with evidence giving of him hassling / threatening a women and other stuff.
Seems strange what could change in the time since.
Interesting that he is released on parole rather than "on compassionate grounds" like Ronnie Biggs. So I guess there are no failing health issues despite his age?
I suppose the Wall will be bringing out a new one-off commemorative kit? "Harry Roberts is our friend..." is one of theirs isn't it?
my dad says he remembers either in the covered end or an away day when the OB were being particularly shirty, the charlton fans singing something similar at them. This must've been 70s or 80s though.
All being said a coppers life is no more or less important than joe blogs life, so don't agree with the reasonings behind the ob stance.
No sure anyone is saying that a copper's life is more important than joe bloggs. However in my opinion their role of policing, by consent to protect us citizens, is - and killing a policemen as he or she is executing those duties does deserve to be treated differently. Harry Roberts should never be released.
I remember the incident so well - I really must be getting old!
He'll remain a 'burden on the state' after release just as much as he was in the nick. How will the dependants/descendants of the men he killed feel about this. Ian Brady is not getting out, why should Roberts ?. The man is obviously a nasty piece of work, perhaps a psychopath who got prison rather than Broadmoor all those years ago. For my part ?: keep him locked up until he dies.
The parole board have asked is he a threat and decided not. The police federation are doing a bit of special pleading here - there are plenty of examples of where the police are treated differently. Had Roberts killed a train driver or security guard he would have been out years ago. But equally, no copper has ever been convicted (and until the scumbag who killed the Millwall fan even charged) for the many hundreds of people who have died at the hands of the police since Roberts was jailed.
Fairly certain that the chant has been used by loads of different clubs' fans, and indeed anyone else who has a reason to dislike the police. There's a novel called "He Kills Coppers" by Jake Arnott that fictionalises these events which I enjoyed reading. He places the Roberts character as being under PTSD from his service in Malaya and keeps him on the run for longer, while scoring points against the puerile "he kills coppers" chanting by people incapable of the same level of violence.
my dad says he remembers either in the covered end or an away day when the OB were being particularly shirty, the charlton fans singing something similar at them. This must've been 70s or 80s though.
Quite a few club's fans used to sing it to the old bill to wind them up
Harry Roberts is our friend, is our friend, is our friend Harry Roberts is our friend, he kills coppers
This bloke is a naughty boy. 10/15 years earlier he would have been hung. Murdering 3 coppers in cold blood is bad. I'm not sure if he should be let out and I'm not sure how he could adjust anyway. What a way to lead your life though. It takes all sorts I suppose but he is a very naughty boy.
Would say every club in the country has had fans who have sung it at some point cafcfan. But if it makes you feel better just say it was a Millwall song. NOLU WDC
I really find it sad the attitude to the police these days. Not just on this thread but also what I've heard today on the wireless regarding this case. I've had some fairly innocuous run ins with the police over the years, innocuous because I not a hardened criminal but I have done a few silly things. Also when the victim of crime I have been totally underwhelmed by the police's attitude to my situation. I have found them disrespectful, arrogant and a complete bunch of pugs sometimes BUT they are the police and overall they are decent professional people laying their lives on the line everyday they go to work. Overall I have nothing but respect for them, face it; where would be without them? Therefore if you kill a copper, you should be put away for ever.
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Surely they should argue that all killers should stay in prison for life.
Seems strange what could change in the time since.
I remember the incident so well - I really must be getting old!
The man is obviously a nasty piece of work, perhaps a psychopath who got prison rather than Broadmoor all those years ago. For my part ?: keep him locked up until he dies.
Fairly certain that the chant has been used by loads of different clubs' fans, and indeed anyone else who has a reason to dislike the police. There's a novel called "He Kills Coppers" by Jake Arnott that fictionalises these events which I enjoyed reading. He places the Roberts character as being under PTSD from his service in Malaya and keeps him on the run for longer, while scoring points against the puerile "he kills coppers" chanting by people incapable of the same level of violence.
my dad says he remembers either in the covered end or an away day when the OB were being particularly shirty, the charlton fans singing something similar at them. This must've been 70s or 80s though.
Quite a few club's fans used to sing it to the old bill to wind them up
Harry Roberts is our friend, is our friend, is our friend
Harry Roberts is our friend, he kills coppers
..... And we got a few lickings because of it
We got a few KICKINGS because of it
I've had some fairly innocuous run ins with the police over the years, innocuous because I not a hardened criminal but I have done a few silly things.
Also when the victim of crime I have been totally underwhelmed by the police's attitude to my situation. I have found them disrespectful, arrogant and a complete bunch of pugs sometimes BUT they are the police and overall they are decent professional people laying their lives on the line everyday they go to work.
Overall I have nothing but respect for them, face it; where would be without them? Therefore if you kill a copper, you should be put away for ever.