Derek’s education was normal for a child of our working – class background. At the age of three, Derek began nursery school at the Friar Street Elementary School. Like that of many other children his first day was disastrous. He started school fine, but the lorry accident changed him completely.
As the school was closed down due to bomb damage, we decided to move to a “less targeted area”. Up until December 1944 Derek attended Camrose Avenue School but then we moved back to the Blackfriars area in the spring of 1944. During this time, Derek attended John Ruskin School in Walworth; at this point his illiteracy became evident. Derek was sent more appointments to see the family doctor, but were confirmed as irrelevant as the previous ones
We have now had four homes in twelve years; this resulted in a number of school
changes.
The older Derek grew his disability of being unable to read and write became more obvious; he became the “butt of cruel jokes and jibes” and poor Derek couldn’t stand up for himself as he wasn’t physically tough enough to stand up to people and stop the cruelty. So he simply didn’t attend. Then one day, in an unusual burst of anger and desperation, he said to father: “why do they hate me? I want to be like all the others. I want to read the history books and write essays, but I can’t! I can’t!”
Whilst still in school, in an attempt to keep Derek happy Derek, father set up a
workshop at the back of the house at 1 Fairview Road where Derek could continue
with his mechanical interests like fixing radios, televisions and bikes.
Derek was in trouble with the law for the first time in March 1948. Derek along with another boy was charged with attempted shop - breaking and theft of tickets and ten shillings from a bus conductor till at Croydon Juvenile court. Both were sentenced
to over two years, but by order of magistrate Derek was sent back to an inferior
School.
Two weeks later, after Derek had left school; again along with another boy was charged for theft of tools, which were left on a bombsite.
Craig was the total opposite of Derek; Craig was mean, vengeful and very spoilt. Unlike Derek, Craig had many opportunities but chose to throw them all away. His father Niven Craig expected Craig to having a good education by sending his son to the best schools and giving him what he wanted, unaware that Craig carried all these weapon like knives, guns and knuckle – dusters to school.
Derek met Craig at the time when he was working in Mr Hutchins shop, both went to
the pictures together and Craig would come round often to visit Derek. When we first met Craig it was evident to us that Craig was a bad influence on Derek, but little did we know that he would lead Derek into something as cold - blooded as killing a police
Officer.
On the night of 2nd of November Derek knew nothing of Craig’s plan to trespass, but
as Craig climbed over the gate Derek followed, only then did he realise they were trespassing but he didn’t know Craig had a gun or any other sort of weapon. While
they were climbing over the gate, someone had seen them and called the police.
When Craig climbed to the top of the roof, Fairfax was up there up with him. Fairfax had arrested Derek and Craig shot him on the shoulder, before this Derek had said to Craig “let him have it Chris”. Just then McDonald came up the drainpipe. McDonald told Craig to drop the gun but Craig’s reply was “come and get it” and he fired again. Meanwhile PC Harrison came onto the roof. Craig spotted him and fired again on purpose.
Below the roof they found someone with the keys, when they opened the door they were led by PC Miles. When they had reached the staircase, they went straight onto the roof and Craig fired. This time it went right through between his eyes. PC harrison threw
all his stuff at Craig, I return craig said “I am Craig . you have just given my brother
twelve years. Come on you coppers I’m only sixteen” and he fired again. After this he fired several more shots, until his gun was empty. Then he jumped from the roof, onto the floor below.
I have put forward to you all the significant facts which the jury have missed. I now ask you can a person who has a reading age of 4.5, an IQ of 66, epilepsy, a mental age of nine and someone who is ”feeble – minded” and “weak” be accused of such a crime. Whereas Craig knew what he was doing, when Derek said “let him have it Chris” he meant let the police have the gun but Craig had his own motive, he wanted to get revenge on the police for giving his brother twelve years. So he deliberately shot PC Miles and then tried to frame my brother for it and I strongly believe that my brother Derek is innocent, he has a very soft and affectionate nature, he would never dream of doing something as heartless as killing a police officer.
I ask you to take all this into account and trust you to make the right decision. I hope you make the choice which will prevent this innocent mans life being taken for a crime he didn’t commit. I leave this matter in your hands.
Yours Faithfully
Iris Bentley
