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The unsolved murder of DC Jim Morrison

Detective Constable James Morrison was 26 when he was stabbed to death trying to arrest a suspected bag snatcher in London’s West End in 1991.

His murder remains unsolved but the Metropolitan Police is still investigating the case in a bid to finally bring the killer to justice.

Rewards totalling £50,000 have been offered for information leading to a prosecution.

Jim’s death for me and the family was completely devastating. I was 24-years-old and in the first few years of marriage. I was suddenly widowed and my whole life was turned upside down. It has been very traumatic for me and for Jim’s family. Even 20 years on, it is still very, very hard. I appeal to anyone who has information that could help solve Jim’s murder to please come forward and help us to achieve justice for Jim’s family and friends.
The officer’s widow Victoria Morrison, speaking in 2011

DC Morrison was born in Glasgow and joined the Metropolitan Police at the age of 18 in June 1983, serving at Bow Street Police station.

In 1988 he married Victoria and moved to the Criminal Investigation Department where colleagues remembered him for his “dedication to duty and flair for dealing with street crime.”

James and Victoria Morrison on their wedding day

His best friend Colin Geddes said: “Jim and I met at Bow Street Station early in our service. We were best men at each other’s weddings. He was a fun man to be around and I had a lot of respect for him as a colleague.

“Jim had an insatiable appetite for his police work – his dedication to the job was second to none – and he always put in that added extra for the community that he lived and served in.

“His death has left a tremendous gap in the lives of those who knew and worked with him. He is hugely missed.”

On the evening Friday 13 December 1991, DC Morrison was off-duty when he visited the Nell Gwynne pub in Bull Inn Court near the Strand at around 8pm.

At that time police were aware of a group of at least three bag snatchers working in the area to steal women’s’ purses and handbags. That night a handbag had been stolen from the Maple Leaf pub in Maiden Lane.

DC Morrison was heading home when he spotted a suspected thief and challenged him outside the London Transport Museum shortly after 10pm. The thief pulled out a knife and ran off.

Unwilling to give up, DC Morrison discarded his coat and chased the suspect through Tavistock Street, the Aldwych and into Montreal Place, where he was stabbed at around 10.15pm.

DC Morrison was pronounced dead after being taken to St Bart’s Hospital. The weapon has never been recovered.

Jim Morrison was a talented and dedicated officer who lived and worked in the borough of Westminster. Jim was inspirational; he had an insatiable appetite for police work and his dedication to the job was second to none. Jim always put in that bit extra to assist the community in which he both lived and worked.
Over the years, officers have remained dogged in doing everything in their power to secure justice for Jim. Despite the passage of time, I believe there are people who still hold vital information about who is responsible for this murder.
Met Commissioner Cressida Dick, speaking on the 30th anniversary in 2021

The suspect was described as being 5ft 10 inches tall, aged 27 to 30 at the time of the offence. He is believed to be of North African/Algerian origin, clean shaven, average build with dark collar length hair, with distinctive tight curls at the front. He was wearing a waist-length brown leather jacket.

Police followed leads in Germany, Belgium, Canada, France and Ireland but have so far been unable to make a breakthrough in the case.

Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Reeves said: “I think that the key to identifying his killer will be through continued help and information from the community, particularly the North African community, living and working in London’s West End in 1991.

“DC Morrison died trying to protect the public from a violent offender who was committing crime in the West End.

“He was off duty, unarmed, on his own and in plain clothes. With no regard for his own personal safety he chased the offender through the streets in order to arrest him. Members of the public tried to help him by blocking the offender’s path. His bravery and dedication to duty tragically resulted in him losing his life.

“Every year that goes by we make progress, but we are still short of the evidence that will signal a breakthrough in this case. I believe there are people who still hold vital information about who is responsible for DC Morrison’s murder.

“I want to hear from anyone with information about the suspect or about the group he was part of. The answers Jim’s family need could lie with someone who lived in London in 1991, but is now abroad. They may not know that we are still investigating, but we never give up. Thirty years on we are still investigating and will not give up the search for justice.

“If you witnessed or heard anything that could help us identify the man responsible for Jim’s murder, wherever you are in the world, come forward and speak to us. It’s not too late.’”

Contact police on 020 8785 8267 or provide information over the internet by following this link: https://mipp.police.uk/operation/0101020107V95-PO1. To remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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Soldier killed in arson attack: Noddy Richards

Lance Corporal Neville Richards, 22, died rescuing his family from an arson attack on Boxing Day 1982.

He was asleep with his wife Martina in the lounge of the flat in Ramsey House, Maysoule Road, Battersea, when petrol was poured under the front door and ignited with a piece of burning fabric shortly before 6.30am.

The burnt out flat in Ramsey House, Maysoule Road, Battersea

The flames quickly spread down the hallway and through the rest of the flat.

Neville, known as Noddy, ran to help his mother in the bedroom while Martina, then 20, jumped to safety from the lunge window. His mother and step-father climbed on to a balcony and were rescued by the Fire Brigade.

However Noddy was overcome by fumes and was found collapsed in the hallway after firefighters kicked down the front door.

He served with the 2nd Battalion Royal Tank Regiment posted in Munster, Germany, and was on leave from the Army for Christmas.

His wife Martina, who had met and married him in Germany, said in 2016 that “Noddy’s loss remains as painful as ever”.

Noddy was a lovely, caring and gentle human being who was also extremely fit as he loved his sports and running marathons. He was denied a life with family and friends, having children, grandchildren and a whole life full of opportunities. There’s not one day that goes by that I don’t think of Noddy. Some little things make me remember him in a funny way, but when my own son turned 22 years of age I looked at him and it hit me like a ton of bricks that that was the age Noddy got killed. Because of all this I appeal to anyone from the bottom of my heart who knows anything, no matter how small, to listen to their conscience so the person who did this awful crime can be brought to justice. I didn’t even get to say ‘goodbye’ to Noddy or hug him one last time….”
Noddy’s wife Martina Lewis, speaking in 2016

Nobody has ever been charged in relation to the attack or Noddy’s death, which is still being treated as murder.

A 28-year-old man was arrested in connection with the investigation but later released with no further action. The case was reviewed in 2012 and in October 2016 a fresh appeal for witnesses was launched by the Metropolitan Police.

Noddy was a decent young man who had built himself a promising career in the Army and was popular among his comrades. He was home for the festive season and had spent Christmas Day with his family before the horrific events of the following morning. Noddy put the safety of his family ahead of his own and sadly he was overcome by fumes before he could get out of the flat himself.
Noddy had a loving family and it’s heartbreaking that three decades on they still haven’t seen his killer brought to justice.
DI Susan Stansfield, of the Met’s Special Casework Investigation Team, speaking in 2016

Detectives asked for help from witnesses and anyone with information about the arson attack.

“It was a long time ago but I’m sure lots of people in the local area would remember Noddy’s murder,” said DI Stansfield. “Did you live in the Maysoule Road area? Did you see or hear anything suspicious in the early morning of Boxing Day 1982? Someone perhaps with a petrol can?

“In the weeks or months following the fire, did you hear any talk in the local area? If you have any information, no matter how small or insignificant you think it might be, please come forward. Maybe you didn’t contact police at the time as you were too scared but with the passage of time now feel able to tell us what you know in confidence.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 020 7230 4294 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

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Unsolved Putney Murder: John Gibbons

Retired engineer John Gibbons, 49, was found stabbed to death at his home on 17 March 1985.

Mr Gibbons, originally from British Guiana, had been stabbed through the heart and his throat was slashed.

His body was discovered by his 16 year-old daughter Dawn at the flat in Huntingford House, Horne Way, Putney.

A 28-year-old man was arrested and charged with John’s murder but the trial was discontinued and the case remains unsolved. There have been no further arrests in the case.

On 21 March 2017 Dawn Gibbons and the Metropolitan Police appealed for help tracing the killer.

This year I am coming up to the age that Dad was when he was killed. The pain of what happened only gets worse as I grow older and remember what my father and I did together, especially as I now have my own daughter.
My father meant the world to me and his death has had a massive impact on my whole life. I have to live with the grief that a person I loved is not here. The fact that my father’s killer still walks the streets of London has been extremely difficult to deal with over the past 32 years.
I would ask from the bottom of my heart that if you have any information, no matter how small, please come forward and tell the police so I can finally get some answers about why this happened. If the tables had turned I know my father would not stop until he had tried his best to bring the person responsible to justice.
Dawn Gibbons, speaking in 2017

John, who was divorced from his wife and also had a son, had previously worked as an engineer for London Transport. In March 1984 he retired due to ill-health and was looking forwarding to spending more time with his children.

He often socialised in pubs close to his home and appeared to be a popular and generous figure who often lent money to friends and family.

The flat at Huntingford House, Putney, where John Gibbons was killed

Detective Inspector Susan Stansfield, of the Met’s Special Casework Investigation Team, said: “John was a father and well-liked local figure in Putney. He was known to be incredibly generous and would often buy rounds of drinks for his friends at his local pubs. There is a possibility that his generous streak resulted in the attack at his home and we are keen to speak to anyone who felt they could not come forward and speak to police before.

“We are now 32 years on and there is a chance that someone who felt they could not speak out in the 1980s may feel this is the time to see justice for John and his family.”

To speak to police contact the incident room on 020 7230 4294. Alternatively, to remain anonymous, call Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

‘No Crimed’: The Murders That Weren’t

Over a five-year period, the Metropolitan Police recorded a total of 28 deaths that were investigated by homicide detectives before being ruled ‘non-suspicious’. One of the mantras taught to police officers about responding to sudden and unexpected deaths is “Think Murder”. The risks of not doing so are perhaps obvious:…

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Unsolved murder at the Railway Arms: John Kennedy

John Kennedy, the 31-year-old brother of a boyband singer, was stabbed to death in Wapping, east London, on 8 February 1997.

The father-of-two was attacked during a night out with friends at the Railway Arms pub in Sutton Street at around 5.50am.

Witnesses were reluctant to talk to police at the time and the murder remains unsolved.

The case was referred back to the Homicide and Serious Crime Command following a review in 2010.

On 10 June 2013 detectives launched a fresh appeal for witnesses and offered a £20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of any suspect. The reward was later increased to £30,000.

Further appeals were made on 28 November 2013 and three days later a man handed in a note to St George’s Town Hall in Cable Street.

It read: “Around 2.55 – 3.00 early morning. Murder at the Railway Pub, Sutton Street.

“I was…waiting for someone… There was a fight. Knife was used by… The other bloke Kennedy plays football for the Falstaff pub. That’s how I recognised him.”

Detective Chief Inspector John Sandlin, said: “It is clear to us that the author of the note has some vital information that could assist the investigation into John’s murder. I would urge this person to contact the incident room so that we can speak to them. I would like to take this opportunity to reassure them they will be treated with the utmost sensitivity.”

In March 2014 the case featured on the BBC Crimewatch programme. Further appeals were made in February 2016 and February 2022.

John, a self-employed electrician and a keen local footballer, was on a night out with his friends when he arrived at the Railway Arms at around 3am.

At around 5.50pm he was confronted by a man he knew and a fight broke out in front of around 60 witnesses.

The suspect then pulled out a knife, lunged at John and stabbed him in the chest before leaving in a car with another man.

The Railway Arms pictured after the stabbing

John, who was the brother of singer Jade Jones from the 90s group Damage, died in hospital at 8.20am.

He was living with his girlfriend in Oban Street, Poplar, at the time of his death and had two children.

We would like to appeal for witnesses to come forward with any vital information regarding John’s senseless murder back in February 1997. Please help us to finally get justice for our loved one whom is forever missed and will never be forgotten. There are many people who witnessed this murder and have not spoken out due to either misguided loyalty or code of conduct. John’s life was taken away and the murderer should be held accountable for his death. Please find it in your hearts after 25 years to do the right thing and help bring the person responsible to justice.
Statement by family of John Kennedy in 2022

Detective Chief Inspector Ken Hughes, from the Met’s Homicide and Major Crime Command, said: “John’s family have spent the past 19 years campaigning for justice and deserve to know why such a level of violence was inflicted on him, leaving his two children without a father.

“I firmly believe that there are a number of people who are yet to speak with officers and who have information that will shed light on the events of that morning.

“I would urge them to come forward and speak with my team. It is possible that allegiances have changed and that someone who previously thought that they could not talk to us can now help bring this man to justice.”

Contact the incident room on 020 8345 3985 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

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