Global InformationMurder of Rosie Palmer information
Rosie Palmer | |
|---|---|
 Rosie Palmer | |
| Born | Rose Frances Palmer 1 August 1990[1] |
| Died | 30 June 1994 (aged 3) Hartlepool, County Durham, England |
| Body discovered | 3 July 1994 Hartlepool, County Durham, England |
| Parent(s) | Martin Palmer Beverley Aves |
The murder of Rosie Palmer took place in Hartlepool, County Durham, England on 30 June 1994.[2] Three-year-old Rose Frances Palmer (1 August 1990 – 30 June 1994) was abducted, raped and murdered after buying an ice pop from an ice cream van only 20 metres from her home.[3] Her partially clothed and mutilated body was found in a house 50 metres from her own on 3 July 1994.[4] It was the third visit to the premises by police during the inquiry, and the second time that it had been searched.[5] The occupant was Tony Armstrong, who had a history of psychiatric problems and was widely disliked in the neighbourhood, where he was known as "Tony the Pervert".[6] In March 1993 a social worker had warned that Armstrong was "likely to be a risk to any child he comes into contact with" but Cleveland County Council failed to act on the report.[7] He was convicted of Palmer's murder on 27 July 1995 and was sentenced to life imprisonment.[4]
The case highlighted a number of issues including social housing policies for single men, communication between governmental agencies, standards of psychiatric care and the conduct of the police search operation.[5][7][8][9] The nature of the crime and the age of the victim caused a wave of public anger and protests, and threats and violence were also directed at the local council.[10][11] The first solicitor appointed to represent Armstrong withdrew from the case, stating "I have my staff to think about."[12] In 2010 the case began to attract news media coverage again when it was revealed that Armstrong could be released from prison in 2011 but would be exempt from signing the Sex Offenders' Register – despite the murder being one of those that led to the creation of the register – as he was never formally charged with a sexual offence.[2][13] Councillor Kevin Kelly warned that despite the passage of time community feelings about the case were still very strong and stated: "If he ever came back here he would be lynched."[14]
- ^ "Police allow Rosie's mother to see body". Independent.co.uk. 6 July 1994. Archived from the original on 18 June 2022. Retrieved 27 August 2017.
- ^ a b Corrigan, Naomi (11 June 2010). "Mum of Rosie Palmer tells of 16 year legal battle for justice". Evening Gazette. Middlesbrough. Retrieved 24 September 2010.
- ^ Palmer v Tees Health Authority & Anor [1999] EWCA Civ 1533
- ^ a b Alderson, Kate (28 July 1995). "Man pleads guilty to murder of girl, 3". The Times. London. p. 1.
- ^ a b Wilkinson, Paul; Alderson, Kate (28 July 1995). "Police explain delay in arresting girl's killer". The Times. London. p. 1.
- ^ Wainwright, Martin (28 July 1995). "Child's 'depraved' killer jailed for life". The Guardian. London. p. 7.
- ^ a b Hetherington, Peter (14 June 1996). "Social worker's warning on killer 'not passed on'". The Guardian. London. p. 5.
- ^ Cooper, Glenda (9 January 1997). "This man is a convicted sex offender: Should he be denied somewhere to live?". The Independent. London. p. 4.
- ^ Cooper, Glenda (14 June 1996). "Rosie report a 'whitewash'". The Independent. London. p. 2.
- ^ Ford, Richard (6 July 1994). "Crowd vents anger at Rosie remand". The Times. London.
- ^ Wainwright, Martin (13 July 1994). "Docks estate grieves for murdered 3-year-old". The Guardian. London.
- ^ "Solicitor quits case". The Times. London. 8 July 1994.
- ^ Corrigan, Naomi (15 March 2010). "Mum's battle to make killer sign register". Evening Gazette. Middlesbrough. p. 4.
- ^ Paylor, Naomi (11 May 2006). "If he came back here he would be lynched". Evening Gazette. Middlesbrough. p. 15.