The Butcher Boy: Countdown to Murder

jerseyporter · 25/10/13 - 03:27

Did no one else watch this? Maybe it's because it's of local interest I recorded it

When John Nettles wrote his book 'Bergerac's Jersey' in 1988 this real-life murder had just happened - he mentions it in one of the chapters as being the nearest thing to a Bergerac story locally. No one knew the truth at that stage, though - only later were the sons arrested.

myss · 25/10/13 - 05:02

I watched it too and there's no doubt what the brothers did was just awful and unjustifiable, but I must admit that I have some disdain towards parents who cart their children to boarding school and university without some type of quality time spent with them. I've worked with some people who you can tell that they had that same or similar type of upbringing where their social/communication skills is limited.

That said though, didn't the programme say that Roderick was handed a double-life sentence and Mark handed a 8 year sentence? And after all that, Roderick only served 12 years and Mark 3 years! What a joke.

[Deleted User] · 25/10/13 - 16:47

myss wrote: »

I watched it too and there's no doubt what the brothers did was just awful and unjustifiable, but I must admit that I have some disdain towards parents who cart their children to boarding school and university without some type of quality time spent with them. I've worked with some people who you can tell that they had that same or similar type of upbringing where their social/communication skills is limited.

That said though, didn't the programme say that Roderick was handed a double-life sentence and Mark handed a 8 year sentence? And after all that, Roderick only served 12 years and Mark 3 years! What a joke.

That what i though, murder 2 people in cold blood and out after 12 years, a joke..

myss · 25/10/13 - 17:09

myscimitar wrote: »

That what i though, murder 2 people in cold blood and out after 12 years, a joke..

The even sillier thing is that although Roderick could not inherit from his parents due to his act, his brother Mark was able to get some and no doubt passed some on to, or at least financially helped, Mark on his release. It's like they were both rewarded for their actions.:rolleyes:

[Deleted User] · 25/10/13 - 18:09

myss wrote: »

The even sillier thing is that although Roderick could not inherit from his parents due to his act, his brother Mark was able to get some and no doubt passed some on to, or at least financially helped, Mark on his release. It's like they were both rewarded for their actions.:rolleyes:

Agree, what a message to put out!

[Deleted User] · 25/10/13 - 18:18

myss wrote: »

I watched it too and there's no doubt what the brothers did was just awful and unjustifiable, but I must admit that I have some disdain towards parents who cart their children to boarding school and university without some type of quality time spent with them. I've worked with some people who you can tell that they had that same or similar type of upbringing where their social/communication skills is limited.

That said though, didn't the programme say that Roderick was handed a double-life sentence and Mark handed a 8 year sentence? And after all that, Roderick only served 12 years and Mark 3 years! What a joke.

agree totally. not in any way condoning what they did but the parents no doubts contributed to years of growing resentment. its seems they not only couldnt be bothered to come home for the summer but they even missed christmases because they would rather be on their yacht or in spain then spend time with their children. is it any wonder they were messed up emotionally

Bulletguy1 · 25/10/13 - 20:01

myss wrote: »

I watched it too and there's no doubt what the brothers did was just awful and unjustifiable, but I must admit that I have some disdain towards parents who cart their children to boarding school and university without some type of quality time spent with them. I've worked with some people who you can tell that they had that same or similar type of upbringing where their social/communication skills is limited.

That said though, didn't the programme say that Roderick was handed a double-life sentence and Mark handed a 8 year sentence? And after all that, Roderick only served 12 years and Mark 3 years! What a joke.

I watched the programme and like you i felt exactly the same about the parents. Quite why they had children at all is beyond me as they had zero interest in them. Interestingly the Aunt (her sister) and the husbands brother had closer relationships with the two boys than what their parents ever did.

I well remember this when the news flashed up about Rodericks capture at sea, the event of which i found all rather quite exciting at the time!

MillyC · 25/10/13 - 20:19

I wonder was the brother (Mark) really in on it as he'd decided not to drink that night. Also the injuries to the Father were consistent with a pick axe which must have been in the bungalow at the time. Did he remove all the items from the van before Mark went home in it?

Lots of children have bad upbringings but they don't murder their parents. Seems the financial aspect sealed their fate.

At least they served some years in prison. If Roderick had not felt some guilt, he/they could have got off scot-free.

Jo March · 25/10/13 - 21:15

MillyC wrote: »

I wonder was the brother (Mark) really in on it as he'd decided not to drink that night. Also the injuries to the Father were consistent with a pick axe which must have been in the bungalow at the time. Did he remove all the items from the van before Mark went home in it?

Lots of children have bad upbringings but they don't murder their parents. Seems the financial aspect sealed their fate.

At least they served some years in prison. If Roderick had not felt some guilt, he/they could have got off scot-free.

They had all the material things so not a bad upbringing in that sense but they were emotionally starved by their parents....I honestly couldn't figure out why they had any children. I actually felt sorry for the boys for the way their parents treated them but that is not to say there was any excuse for what they did.

Like others I was astonished to see at the end that Mark was out of prison after 3 years and that Roderick only spent 12 years in jail for killing two people ...quite shocking.

Bulletguy1 · 25/10/13 - 21:17

Just found this;

http://i44.tinypic.com/95tnb5.jpg

It's the yacht that Newall owned.

Also found this rather interesting. An interview with the Aunt published in a Jersey newspaper.

http://www.jeremyjosephs.com/newallmurders.htm

ChrissieAO · 25/10/13 - 21:35

Bulletguy1 wrote: »

Just found this;

http://i44.tinypic.com/95tnb5.jpg

It's the yacht that Newall owned.

Also found this rather interesting. An interview with the Aunt published in a Jersey newspaper.

http://www.jeremyjosephs.com/newallmurders.htm

Interesting reading and an compelling TV programme to watch.
While I agree entirely that there is no excuse for what they did, they had a pretty sad upbringing.
I just cannot imagine any parent not wanting to spend as much time as possible with their children, why have them if you don't even like them.
Fair enough, you can accept that in private schools children only get to go home in the holidays, but those weren't even allowed that and to be left on your own at Christmas and have their presents stuffed in a drawer, while their parents swanned off to Spain is unbelievable..

SolarSail · 25/10/13 - 23:37

I was left feeling slightly confused as the tone of the programme didn't overall match up with some of the news reports I've read via the web.
That interview with Nan seemed to say that there were all kinds of long lasting problems and aggressions, but I thought it was a more recent tension.

Interestingly I found an army message board where some of Roderick's peers were posting and they all seemed to like him and be surprised that this had happened.

Killary45 · 26/10/13 - 00:25

The public school that the sons attended was Radley College.

They would been aged around 14 when the BBC TV reality documentary Public School was filmed at Radley in 1979. I wonder if they appeared in the background. I remember that as an unusually revealing picture of a school for its time.

By coincidence there is a where-are-they-now follow up to Public School, called A Very British Education on BBC2 at 9pm on Sunday.

Bulletguy1 · 26/10/13 - 03:06

SolarSail wrote: »

I was left feeling slightly confused as the tone of the programme didn't overall match up with some of the news reports I've read via the web.
That interview with Nan seemed to say that there were all kinds of long lasting problems and aggressions, but I thought it was a more recent tension.

Interestingly I found an army message board where some of Roderick's peers were posting and they all seemed to like him and be surprised that this had happened.

Apparently quite an affable young chap able to mix and socialise easily, though i suspect it would be confined to those on his own level. The other brother Mark was the absolute opposite and had few friends.

There must be some sprinkling of good in Roderick as it seems it was only due to what he said to his Aunt about knowing where the bodies were, that the Police were eventually able to get their conviction.

Guilt got the better of him in the end.....otherwise they would have got away with murder.....literally!

cleo petra · 27/10/13 - 00:50

Watched this today. Have to say the parents were hideous if the accounts of their childhood were true. I did not think the motivation was about money it was about anger and resentment for the way Roderick was treated. Thirteen years seems about right. It's not like he's a threat to anybody else I would have thought.

Archie Duke · 27/10/13 - 01:04

Does Jersey have it's own Judicary and prison ?

I don't believe these two scum suckng dirtbags would see daylight again if this double murder had taken place in the US.

Kill your parents and be out in 12 years

[Deleted User] · 27/10/13 - 01:56

I felt sorry for the two boys. Their parents were cold and distant. The boys endured a loveless childhood and finally snapped.

Neilnjones · 27/10/13 - 16:12

There was massive publicity on the island after the disappearance of the parents.

The purchase of spades, tarpaulins axes and the rest of the items purchased locally surely must have jogged the memory of the person selling these items just prior to the disappearance.

Beyond belief.

Ennerjee · 27/10/13 - 20:04

I realise that prison in the UK is for rehabilitation as well as punishment, however, there are a few points I'd like to raise.

Evidently, the fact they were released indicates that they were considered rehabilitated, however, there are many others who've committed similar crimes who are still in prison for a much longer period.

These brothers were pursued for six years and cost the taxpayer many thousands of pounds, plus the man hours.

Jeremy Banner has been locked up for over 27 years now, but he says he's innocent.

Ennerjee · 28/10/13 - 22:05

Bulletguy1 wrote: »

Just found this;

http://i44.tinypic.com/95tnb5.jpg

It's the yacht that Newall owned.

Also found this rather interesting. An interview with the Aunt published in a Jersey newspaper.

http://www.jeremyjosephs.com/newallmurders.htm

I assumed the yacht would've been much bigger than that. It does't look big enough to sail so far.

Jayinthegarden · 28/10/13 - 22:35

I feel very sorry for the boys. Their minds and personalities were bound to have been affected by their cruel upbringing. Roderick could have remained free but he was true to his conscience. 12yrs was a just punishment as he'll have to live with the guilt for the rest of his life.
It was a very good programme

Ennerjee · 29/10/13 - 05:04

Bulletguy1 wrote: »

Just found this;

http://i44.tinypic.com/95tnb5.jpg

It's the yacht that Newall owned.

Also found this rather interesting. An interview with the Aunt published in a Jersey newspaper.

http://www.jeremyjosephs.com/newallmurders.htm

I assumed the yacht would've been much bigger than that. It does't look big enough to sail so far.

topcat3 · 08/11/13 - 18:11

Just caught up with this.

It makes you wonder, if these boys had grown up in a normal family home with parents who looked after them, would they have turned out alright?

Hey there!

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