I recall reading about this elsewhere and it wasn't what it seems or was contested in some way. Anyway lets assume he did purchase a battery from Ron Parkinson's shop how does this support Steele/Whomes carrying out the murders? The shop was based in Marks Tey. The murders Rettendon. Distance between the two places is 24 miles/28 minutes.
30/05/96 - STATEMENT of RICKY LEE SNELL
NAME: RICKY LEE SNELL
AGE / DATE OF BIRTH: 33 11121962
Who states:- This statement consisting of 001 pages, each signed by me, is true to the best of my knowledge and belief and I make it knowing that if it is tendered in evidence I shall be liable to prosecution if I have wilfully stated in it anything which I know to be false or do not believe to be true.
DATED: 300596
R L SNELL (SIGNED)
I am a friend of Darren NICHOLLS, who lives in Bailey Bridge Road, Braintree. I have been asked by Darren if I would look after a green BSA 350 motor cycle for him. The motor cycle had been left at another of his friends, and I collected it on Tuesday of this week, 280596, and brought it back to my house.
Today I showed it to DS68 Tim WILLS and DC2114 GURNEY and took the battery from it handing it to DS WILLS. I noticed that it had written on it in black felt tip pen the date 180995 and the three letters 'RWP', as if it was somebody's initials.
R L SNELL SIGNED
STATEMENT TAKEN PLACE:
TIME:
DATE: 300596
WITNESS TO SIGNATURE:
OFFICERS SIGNATURE:
Apparently the motorcycle shop mark / sign and date the batteries they sell to verify date of purchase for returns.
This is evident from the following statement.
31/05/96 - STATEMENT of MARIA MICHELLE STOCK
NAME: MARIA MICHELLE STOCK
AGE / DATE OF BIRTH: 18 15091977
Who states:- This statement consisting of 001 pages, each signed by me, is true to the best of my knowledge and belief and I make it knowing that if it is tendered in evidence I shall be liable to prosecution if I have wilfully stated in it anything which I know to be false or do not believe to be true.
DATED: 310596
M M STOCK (SIGNED)
I work as a salesperson at Ron Parkinson Motor Cycles, London Road, Marks Tey, Colchester. Today, Friday 310596 I have been shown a blue label replacement battery of the type we sell here, and some writing on its side, by DS68 Tim WILLS.
I am able to say that when we sell such a battery, we write the date of sale and the company initials on the battery for guarantee purposes. From looking at this battery it would have been sold on 180995. I cannot remember details of the person I sold it to, but from the handwriting on it I would have been the salesperson.
M M STOCK SIGNED
STATEMENT TAKEN PLACE:
TIME:
DATE: 310596
WITNESS TO SIGNATURE:
OFFICERS SIGNATURE: