Stokes Bay WI welcome murder specialist to meeting

By Pam Marsden

STOKES BAY WI were proud to welcome a murder specialist to their recent meeting this month, although they were naturally relieved when he didn’t recognise any of their members from his long standing career.

Dr Paul Stickler is a former police detective who started his work in Gosport and steadily became a specialist in researching historical murders before being seconded to the FBI in America. He is also a well-known author and speaker as well as a consultant to the media; where he has made multiple appearances since 2016.

It was useful that many of our members were of an age to recall the A6 murder with James Hanratty being found guilty of both murder and rape. He was hanged for the offence on April 4, 1962, at Bedford Jail and was one of the final eight people in the UK to be executed before capital punishment was abolished.

But did he do it? As President of Stokes Bay WI, Tracey Whatley, said “what we heard was in the days before DNA was used in Court and Paul took us through the evidence with painstaking police work to prove the charge of murder. It was a true murder mystery and quite intriguing.”

Members were taken through the facts using a step by step approach and it is true that many still remember James Hanratty’s name more than his victims. Michael Gregston (36) was murdered due to being shot in a car, whilst Valerie Storie (22) was raped, shot, left for dead and crippled for life. Valerie was very brave in a number of ways – the main being that, despite being shot, she was able to feign death and thus survived.

To get the full story readers will have to sit in on one of Paul’s historical case studies; which are quite fascinating and it really held the attention of our members at Stokes Bay WI. Organisers were very thankful to Paul for coming to the meeting and giving a memorable presentation.

Stokes Bay WI meet in the Parish Centre Alverstoke on the third Tuesday of the month, with each session running from 10am to 12pm with interesting meetings, outings and special events. Readers can see more information on membership or arranging a visit by clicking www.stokesbaywi.co.uk.

PICTURED BY STOKES BAY WI: President Tracey Whatley stands in the sunshine with former detective Dr Paul Stickler as he gave presentation to members in the monthly meeting held recently.