It took her a lifetime to prove her innocence and find her son's killer (4 photos)

Ruth Neave 28 years old - lived with a terrible the stigma of the murderer of his own child. But the truth turned out to be different.





Public censure and condemnation is a terrible thing. When on they look at you with hateful looks, whisper behind your back, discussing the most terrible deed - infanticide - how to withstand it? If you are not guilty.



Ricky

Little Ricky from Peterborough went to school on November 28, 1994. But he didn't go to class. And he did not return home. Worried mother I called all my relatives and friends and went to the police.

A search began, in which volunteers also took part. Ruth with they were not, because two daughters remained at home - Rochelle and Sheradin. And they had to be watched. The child was found the next day. Expertise testified that a 6-year-old boy had been strangled. The first suspect was mother.

I must say that Neve was not an exemplary mother. The words neighbors, abused alcohol and did not give children enough attention. The daughters said that their mother could yell at them, even hit for a minor offense.

But Ricky was always well dressed, neat, had many friends in school, who often visited the boy at a party. Besides, the mother immediately sounded the alarm. And even if she was a chronic alcoholic, this does not automatically make her a killer.

But, alas, as often happens in law enforcement agencies, when the existence of the case must be given to the public guilty. Especially when it comes to such a resonant crime. As a result of an investigative error Ruth was recognized as the last person to see the boy that day. played a role testimonies and the woman's non-participation in the search.

The lawyer urged the woman to give a confession indications. But she was categorically against it. Recognized improper parenthood, but not murder.

The court pronounced a verdict - 7 years in prison. A year later, father girls died in an accident, and they were transferred to a foster family. Rochelle and Sheradin grew up with the firm conviction that their little brother had taken his life mother. And they had no more contact with Ruth.



Ruth Neave

After her release in 2000, Ruth began to be severely hounded: she I couldn't find even the simplest job, and grocery shopping ended in a row with neighbors. After 8 years she met a man who believed her and helped her get the opportunity to get acquainted with the case. Thanks to Harry Rogers, Ruth got access to 156 folders.

And in the course of studying the materials, I came across a golden grain. it there was evidence from an elderly lady who said that she had seen a boy that day in the company of a teenager - 13-year-old James Watson. Boy Ruth I knew well that he had been to their house and that he was great with Ricky. That is not she was the last person to see the boy alive.

The teenager confirmed that he saw Ricky. But just said hello. Ruth insisted on an examination of the dead son's clothes. And they found on it traces of Watson's DNA.

The investigation into the case was reopened. But looking for the truth it took another 6 years. At the time of detention on Watson's account there were already about 30 convictions - for theft, assault, illegal carrying weapons and more.



James Watson

The man explained to the police the presence of biological traces on clothing by lifting the boy over the fence that day to Ricky could look at the construction work behind him.

But there was no fence or work at that time in Peterborough. it confirmed by many residents of the city and Ruth herself. During a survey of friends Watson, it turned out that a year before the crime, the teenager tried hit on a 5 year old. The ex-girlfriend said that James once almost strangled her.

The jury deliberated for 36 hours. As a result, 41-year-old Watson was recognized guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment. Ruth was able to justice only after serving time, faced with a wave of negativity from side of society and forever losing her daughters who refused her communicate. But the creaking mechanism of the rusty machine of justice still worked. how to. Although Ruth did not bring the desired calm and did not help to glue broken life.