Forums Forums Wirral History : Chasing the Past History Information Request 1970's Murder in Central Park, Wallasey

I'm trying to find any information about a murder that was committed in the 1970's.

Mark Roberts murdered a woman in central park, dumped body in the lake and fled to Wales where he was either apprehended or gave himself up.

I remember finding information at the local library in Rake Lane but I didn't keep any of the details of the newspaper it was reported in - presumably Wallasey News/Wirral Globe.

I've tried to locate these newspaper articles but have been so far unsuccessful - does anyone know anything about the case, know Mark Roberts or have a link to stories covering the murder?

Kind regards
Cutespam

An unusual and/or coincidental link to the Eddie/Paula Gilfoyle murder case

"Paula Gilfoyle met Mark Roberts in 1973 when she was 14 years of age and he was 17. The couple became engaged in 1974. In October that year, Roberts strangled Christine Buckley to death with his belt hours after having sex with her near the park’s toilet block. He dumped the young girl’s body in the lake. Paula Gilfoyle stood by Roberts when he was convicted of the woman’s rape and murder."

What happened to Mark Roberts DD, was he convicted and eventually released?

The quote I put above appears incomplete. in 1976 Mark Roberts was sent to jail for 6 months for stealing a car, it may have been October 1976 he killed Christine Buckley not 1974. He was sentenced to life for the murder of Christine, I guess he would have been released after about 15 years?

From Liverpool Echo, Monday 4th October 1976..

"Mark Glyn Roberts, of Hope Street, Wallasey, was remanded in custody until October 13. He is charged with murdering Christine Buckley. at Wallasey, on or about October 1. Reporting restrictions were not lifted. ...

Hi Norton and DD,

Do you have anyway of directing me to the news reports? Google seems to be a little lax in finding something relevant.

I've been to the central library in Wallasey but I never printed anything off the internet. It's weird how I can't find much about the case.
Do the newspaper reports mention which prison he was remanded/sentenced to?

Thanks for your help so far.

xxx

Following

I haven't got a subscription with Find My Past, the below is available in the Newspapers search section.



Some libraries offer free time, FMP/Ancestry

This is an extract from a book called "Guilty Until Proven Innocent The Crisis In Our Justice System" by Jon Robins Guilty Until Proven Innocent

It is basically about Eddie Gilfoyle but has connections to Mark Roberts and Christine Buckley

I use Ancestry for my family tree and so I have a monthly subscription which gives access to BMD and census for example, included in the price.
However, sometimes the info I want can't be found there but is on Find My Past, so I buy pay-as-you-go credits with them. FMP is good for ships passenger lists and war records, but also links into The British Newspaper Archive.
Naturally, if I go searching through the records, including the newspaper records, it uses some of my credits, which I have to replace. As credits only last for a few months if you don't use them, then I'm happy looking up something like this if I can find the time and I've had an otherwise low usage period.
I should note that the Liverpool Echo has recently been added to their archive, but the Wallasey or Birkenhead News does not seem to be on-line yet.

Thanks to everyone who's been commenting.

I've managed to find the relevant articles on FMP and until I get a subscription it won't allow me to view the whole article. I've just paid for another month with ancestry but once that runs out ill use FMP for one month and see if I like it.

The reason I'm so interested in this case, why I was told about it when growing up, is due to the fact that I'm related to Mark Glyn Roberts and I was hoping to find some answers as to why he did what he did.

Thanks everyone you've been wonderful x

Liverpool Echo 07 February 1977. Hope it's legible....

Thanks so much Nightwalker xx

Am also trying to find him does anyone know his date of birth x

His birth was registered in the June Quarter, 1955, Birkenhead,

If you want his full date of birth, you will need to purchase his birth certificate, it's very unlikely to be available online to find.