Was there any info in JM's testimony corroborated and unknown to others?

[Opal]

It said Craig thought there was a small field of opium poppy.  That doesn't mean he was right about it being opium poppy he could have been wrong. Police have mistaken poppy weeds for opium. Even if it was though, it was a small field and they lacked the technology to harvest opium from it. Opium cultivation is only profitable when you farm it large scale.  The farmer doesn't get that much for it from a drug cartel. That pay is worth more in 3rd world countries and the legal risk less severe so that is why it is mostly grown there.  I agree, these opium poppies would not have made JB lots of money.

If Jeremy was making big bucks as a drug dealer he could have told his family to go to Hell and simply made his own way without them. IF JB was making big bucks! I'm surmising he wasn't, this being the reason he could have been in trouble financially... he owed money. Which ever way you look at it, there was trouble at the farm that made JB kill his family. This had been building up for some time. JB wanted his inheritance sooner rather than later...why?   In the meantime he was planning to sell the farm. If he had killed them in order to take over the farm to build some big drug operation he would not have been planning to sell it. JB's interests were NOT in the farm he wanted the money! I don't see any of the drug claims as being relevant in any way to the murders or even worthy of consideration as a standalone. To me I simply a "yawn".

Yes, I understand you don't agree. You are looking solely at the murders, I was looking at a possible cause for them

[scipio_usmc]

Yes, I understand you don't agree. You are looking solely at the murders, I was looking at a possible cause for them

I don't see the drug issue as being a potential cause for the murders. Jeremy was engaging in long term planning to kill everyone so he would gain the entire wealth of his family. His timetable featured when His entire family was staying under 1 roof.  He needed them under 1 roof because 2 or more homicide events would be more suspicious plus his selected plan was to pretend Sheila killed everyone else then herself. When and where was set around this.

From a legal standpoint the only reason to allow Julie to even tell a jury about the other crimes was so that they could see her complete relationship with Jeremy.  The fact he involved her in selling his drugs for him and took her along to burglarize the caravan site demonstrates he trusted her and makes it more likely he would also be willing to tell her about other crimes. It goes to her relationship with him.

If not for that aspect they should not even be allowed before the jury because they would be more prejudicial than probative.  The 2 big picture considerations in weighing admissibility in court are 1) is the evidence inherently reliable (for example hearsay is inherently unreliable hence why it is generally not allowed) and 2) is the evidence more probative than prejudicial. Probative means is it relevant. If evidence is relevant but it's relevance is limited and it has a better chance of causing prejudice than to prove something important then it will be not allowed before the trier of fact.  Prior bad acts are often kept out on such basis. Moreso prior bad acts are used to establish habit evidence or something else other than to argue the person did this prior bad act so is a bad person who probably committed the crime being tried for as well because he committed past crimes.

Motive is one of the exceptions to hearsay and a purpose for which prior bad acts could be used to establish, so in the legal sense is ok to use.  But I see nothing that indicates drugs had anything to do with Jeremy's motive for killing everyone. Drugs played no role in the motive under Julie's account and no one else has any account that involved drugs as a motive for him to kill them. The most simple explanation is often the actual one and in this case that is the desire to get everything Jeremy's family owned.  This lack of evidence to tie it to motive reduces the probative value. In court you can't just make an argument that has no support.     

[Opal]

Did JB take drug related trips to Scotland? I thought he picked up a hitch-hiker who was based in Scotland and they ended up making an arrangement whereby JB sent packages via the post and the hitch- hiker mailed JB £100. Of course you are right Holly, it was Amsterdam JB was dealing in drugs according to CAL But, in 1985 Essex Police were informed that whilst in New Zealand JB was dealing in drugs. It also emerged in 1985 that Brett Collins had convictions for drug offences CAL page 75. Barbara Wilson also confirms that JB got into trouble whilst in New Zealand, with the family sending him quite a lot of money. David Boutflour heard that JBwas implicated in an armed robbery and killing...CAL Daily Mail. 'The Two Faces'. but police investigations found no evidence of either. But whatever happened in New Zealand unnerved JB he returned home craving security and willing to work harder.

Apparently BC had a  brother in Holland.  When JB, JM, and BC visited post murders it seems they went to some cafe where they were given a menu and tried different types.  Maybe what they brought back into the UK was for own use or JB hoped to cultivate different types.

Sorry typo.  I calculated £850 based on 1985 using UK inflation figs for today and arrived at £1,985.  I also said JM experimented with cannabis and I meant to say cocaine.  I sound decidedly boring by comparison    I've only ever tried smoking dope a few times many years ago but as I've never smoked conventional cigs it didn't seem to have any effect.  Maybe a couple of times it did but I couldn't be sure whether it was the cannabis or alcohol.  I've always been happy with a beer and couple of glasses of wine.  Never touched any of those kind of drugs...alcohol yes!

SB said she was against JB/JM brining drugs into the house but we only have her word for that or EP's if her WS was coerced.  These girls were not goody two shoes.  I'm of a similar age and background and it wouldn't have even entered my head to commit cheque fraud. And in JM's case distribute drugs and assist a boyfriend break into the family firm and steal a few hundred quid.  I can't think of any girls I hang out with that would do these sorts of things.  It wouldn't have even been a case of weighing up the risks it simply wouldn't have even entered my head.  SB said she accompanied JM to a bank to obtain some plastic money bags for the cannabis. ( besotted comes to mind) JM was young  and I feel wanted to impress JB. Doesn't excuse her though... not as innocent as she would have us believe
Yes I agree if you sent testers into every licensed premises in the land they would probably find traces of drugs on the premises of all.  But if LR and Malcolm Waters/Michael Deckers were involved they were the proprietors/managers and holders of the licence for alcohol.  This is different from say JB trading a bit of dope on the premises.  If EP were aware they were aware or part of then potentially they could shut the places down and their livlihoods and reputations would be in tatters. And on that threat EP got information, I bet there were some worried people around Colchester! As I said before DC Taffy Jones had more than one iron in the fire regarding the murders at WHF

There's certainly some evidence EP could potentially have used the drugs angle on many of those that testified against JB. I agree

I'm not sure JB was treading on anyones toes?  It seems his market was middle classe types at uni and in wine bars.Hmm! perhaps not in this country

 

[Holly Goodhead]

Has anyone seen the film 'Fatal Vision'? apparently it freaked JB because it's a true story of an army man who killed his wife and two children...then rang the police!

Think this might be it

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rbi3miueHgY

Sweet dreams 

[Holly Goodhead]

Reply to Opal:

Was JB dealing in Amsterdam?  I thought he just smoked some cannabis in a cafe where he also bought some and smuggled it into UK?  Was it for own use?

I've read all sorts about what JB got up to in New Zealand:  murder, armed robbery, drug dealing, traveller cheque fraud, theft, conning people out of diamonds in their rings and replacing them with glass.  But there's no evidence for any of it.  New Zealand isn't some rogue state devoid of law and order.  How would Barbara Wilson know what JB got up to in New Zealand?  How many parents end up wiring money out to their kids on gap years or the like?  Most if my experience is anything to go by.

If BC had drug convictions in New Zealand I don't really see what bearing this has on JB/the case?  As I said I've never been into drugs and haven't ever really mixed with people who are.  I would imagine if you are into drugs then you're more likely to mix with others that are eg JB and Brett.  I don't think it means much.  In some countries such as Netherlands it's legal.  Is it any worse than me having a beer or a glass of wine?  All my friends drink.  I don't think I've ever had a teetotal friend!

I think the idea JM and others were led by JB is stretching it a bit.  JM admits in her WS she met a couple of guys in a club and went to their hotel room with a friend to snort coke.  She also purchased cannabis from a female friend.  I assume this was pre JB otherwise JB would be the supplier of choice.  Perhaps if you don't do drugs it seems really naughty but each to their own is my view.  There's clearly a difference between smoking cannabis and indulging in the harder stuff.  Paul McCartney springs to mind as a peaceable smoker of cannabis.

I'm not sure the likes of JB with his small scale cannabis production and those that smoked it in the likes of The Frog and Bean would feature on DCI Jones' radar?  But I do think some officers had marked JB's card and used it against some of the prosecution witnesses that testified against JB.

[scipio_usmc]

Reply to Opal:

Was JB dealing in Amsterdam?  I thought he just smoked some cannabis in a cafe where he also bought some and smuggled it into UK?  Was it for own use?

I've read all sorts about what JB got up to in New Zealand:  murder, armed robbery, drug dealing, traveller cheque fraud, theft, conning people out of diamonds in their rings and replacing them with glass.  But there's no evidence for any of it.  New Zealand isn't some rogue state devoid of law and order.  How would Barbara Wilson know what JB got up to in New Zealand?  How many parents end up wiring money out to their kids on gap years or the like?  Most if my experience is anything to go by.

If BC had drug convictions in New Zealand I don't really see what bearing this has on JB/the case?  As I said I've never been into drugs and haven't ever really mixed with people who are.  I would imagine if you are into drugs then you're more likely to mix with others that are eg JB and Brett.  I don't think it means much.  In some countries such as Netherlands it's legal.  Is it any worse than me having a beer or a glass of wine?  All my friends drink.  I don't think I've ever had a teetotal friend!

I think the idea JM and others were led by JB is stretching it a bit.  JM admits in her WS she met a couple of guys in a club and went to their hotel room with a friend to snort coke.  She also purchased cannabis from a female friend.  I assume this was pre JB otherwise JB would be the supplier of choice.  Perhaps if you don't do drugs it seems really naughty but each to their own is my view.  There's clearly a difference between smoking cannabis and indulging in the harder stuff.  Paul McCartney springs to mind as a peaceable smoker of cannabis.

I'm not sure the likes of JB with his small scale cannabis production and those that smoked it in the likes of The Frog and Bean would feature on DCI Jones' radar?  But I do think some officers had marked JB's card and used it against some of the prosecution witnesses that testified against JB.

Addicts who are desperate for money to get a fix will resort to many bad things.  People on drugs also have less self control, legalizing drugs in parts of the US has caused huge jumps in pot based DUIs.  Drugs can be very destructive.

With that said the only real relevance here is that Jeremy involved Julie in selling them thus showing he trusted her and she admitted to it thus showing she was coming clean about all.  That is the only limited value.

A lot of people have smuggled pot back from Amsterdam but how much could you fit?  It can't have been that much and I don't think he could pass for pregnant:

or sneak a bag like this through:

 

[Opal]

Reply to Holly:

Was JB dealing in Amsterdam? JB was dealing by way of buying drugs.  I thought he just smoked some cannabis in a cafe where he also bought some and smuggled it into UK? Why bother the expense of going all the way to Amsterdam to buy Cannabis when he could buy enough for his own use in the UK at the time?  Was it for own use?  Yes & No, JB was mainly interested in making money!

I've read all sorts about what JB got up to in New Zealand:  murder, armed robbery, drug dealing, traveller cheque fraud, theft, conning people out of diamonds in their rings and replacing them with glass.  But there's no evidence for any of it. Something happened out there for JB to return early. Diving lessons weren’t taken up. Supposed reason for trip, he argued with friend he went to see. £2.0000 for Diving lessons gone, so more money sent out to him, why didn’t he do what most people do whilst staying abroad and get some work? New Zealand isn't some rogue state devoid of law and order.  How would Barbara Wilson know what JB got up to in New Zealand? . BW was told JB was in trouble abroad by NB.  How many parents end up wiring money out to their kids on gap years or the like? Most if my experience is anything to go by. So why travel home early?

If BC had drug convictions in New Zealand I don't really see what bearing this has on JB/the case? My point was that BC and JB were into drug related activities prior to the murders. A lot has been made of SC’ s state of mind before the murders, even being tested for recreational drugs after her death, yet here’s JB growing and selling the stuff before the murders with no comment! As I said I've never been into drugs and haven't ever really mixed with people who are.  I would imagine if you are into drugs then you're more likely to mix with others that are eg JB and Brett.  I don't think it means much.  In some countries such as Netherlands it's legal.  Is it any worse than me having a beer or a glass of wine?  All my friends drink.  I don't think I've ever had a teetotal friend!  JB used drugs for recreational pleasure…of course he did….. he was also making money from them!  Greed for money is different to spending the night out enjoying a smoke and drink amongst friends, and JB was Greedy for money hence the murders!

BC came over from New Zealand after first meeting JB there. Within a short space of time both BC and JB went off to Holland….Jeremy being broke at the time having purchased a larger Propagator and two lamps for his Cannabis plants….Not something one would do for their own personal usage, he could pick up his own usage anywhere!  Was it this time that JB secured a bank loan supposedly for furniture etc for his home? Both BC and JB returned yet again to Holland after the murders….mid August when JM went with them, yet again the main objective seems to buy drugs.

I think the idea JM and others were led by JB is stretching it a bit.  JM admits in her WS she met a couple of guys in a club and went to their hotel room with a friend to snort coke.  She also purchased cannabis from a female friend.  I assume this was pre JB otherwise JB would be the supplier of choice.  Perhaps if you don't do drugs it seems really naughty but each to their own is my view.  There's clearly a difference between smoking cannabis and indulging in the harder stuff.  Paul McCartney springs to mind as a peaceable smoker of cannabis.  I don’t think for a moment JM knew everything JB and BC got up to, but she wasn’t totally innocent either. It doesn’t state JM went to Stringfellows with Stephanie Checkley who she smoked Cannabis with 2 years earlier ( before JB)  Isn’t it strange though at this point in her statement she mentions going to Stringfellows in the Summer of 1985 and snorting cocaine, she was of course seeing Jeremy at the time because she states BC arrived shortly afterwards and BC, JB and JM went again to Stringfellows.

I'm not sure the likes of JB with his small scale cannabis production and those that smoked it in the likes of The Frog and Bean would feature on DCI Jones' radar? Yes it did start off as a small scale drug business, but when BC arrived he convinced JB it was easier to go buy the stuff abroad rather than produce it from home to sell, JB hadn’t gone abroad before this to buy drugs, However after meeting BC in New Zealand things changed. In the 1980’s in places like Amsterdam it was easy to obtain drugs.  But I do think some officers had marked JB's card and used it against some of the prosecution witnesses that testified against JB. I’m sure the Police knew more about JB’s drug business than we are led to believe. After all they checked out the suspected Robberies etc….so they must of known! 

Jeremy sent quite a few parcels to Scotland and made about £700.00.. that’s dealing! JM states…as far as she was concerned none of the money was banked, probably because it was forged bank notes
(the hitchhiker he gave a lift to and whom he was sending the Cannabis to was arrested for using forged bank notes)  JB collected the first £100.00 for the Cannabis from Maldon post office as no one was at home in Head Street Goldhanger. JB had to say he was collecting it for a NIGEL PAGE. All this points to the fact JB wasn’t just using drugs for his own and friends use, but making money through it.
My whole point here is that JB isn’t/wasn’t the innocent party he made out to be. He himself even asked a friend if he was mad. In my mind JB was living his life beyond his means through drugs, which eventually led to him murdering his family for money.

[Holly Goodhead]

Reply to Holly:

Was JB dealing in Amsterdam? JB was dealing by way of buying drugs.  I thought he just smoked some cannabis in a cafe where he also bought some and smuggled it into UK? Why bother the expense of going all the way to Amsterdam to buy Cannabis when he could buy enough for his own use in the UK at the time?  Was it for own use?  Yes & No, JB was mainly interested in making money!

I've read all sorts about what JB got up to in New Zealand:  murder, armed robbery, drug dealing, traveller cheque fraud, theft, conning people out of diamonds in their rings and replacing them with glass.  But there's no evidence for any of it. Something happened out there for JB to return early. Diving lessons weren’t taken up. Supposed reason for trip, he argued with friend he went to see. £2.0000 for Diving lessons gone, so more money sent out to him, why didn’t he do what most people do whilst staying abroad and get some work? New Zealand isn't some rogue state devoid of law and order.  How would Barbara Wilson know what JB got up to in New Zealand? . BW was told JB was in trouble abroad by NB.  How many parents end up wiring money out to their kids on gap years or the like? Most if my experience is anything to go by. So why travel home early?

If BC had drug convictions in New Zealand I don't really see what bearing this has on JB/the case? My point was that BC and JB were into drug related activities prior to the murders. A lot has been made of SC’ s state of mind before the murders, even being tested for recreational drugs after her death, yet here’s JB growing and selling the stuff before the murders with no comment! As I said I've never been into drugs and haven't ever really mixed with people who are.  I would imagine if you are into drugs then you're more likely to mix with others that are eg JB and Brett.  I don't think it means much.  In some countries such as Netherlands it's legal.  Is it any worse than me having a beer or a glass of wine?  All my friends drink.  I don't think I've ever had a teetotal friend!  JB used drugs for recreational pleasure…of course he did….. he was also making money from them!  Greed for money is different to spending the night out enjoying a smoke and drink amongst friends, and JB was Greedy for money hence the murders!

BC came over from New Zealand after first meeting JB there. Within a short space of time both BC and JB went off to Holland….Jeremy being broke at the time having purchased a larger Propagator and two lamps for his Cannabis plants….Not something one would do for their own personal usage, he could pick up his own usage anywhere!  Was it this time that JB secured a bank loan supposedly for furniture etc for his home? Both BC and JB returned yet again to Holland after the murders….mid August when JM went with them, yet again the main objective seems to buy drugs.

I think the idea JM and others were led by JB is stretching it a bit.  JM admits in her WS she met a couple of guys in a club and went to their hotel room with a friend to snort coke.  She also purchased cannabis from a female friend.  I assume this was pre JB otherwise JB would be the supplier of choice.  Perhaps if you don't do drugs it seems really naughty but each to their own is my view.  There's clearly a difference between smoking cannabis and indulging in the harder stuff.  Paul McCartney springs to mind as a peaceable smoker of cannabis.  I don’t think for a moment JM knew everything JB and BC got up to, but she wasn’t totally innocent either. It doesn’t state JM went to Stringfellows with Stephanie Checkley who she smoked Cannabis with 2 years earlier ( before JB)  Isn’t it strange though at this point in her statement she mentions going to Stringfellows in the Summer of 1985 and snorting cocaine, she was of course seeing Jeremy at the time because she states BC arrived shortly afterwards and BC, JB and JM went again to Stringfellows.

I'm not sure the likes of JB with his small scale cannabis production and those that smoked it in the likes of The Frog and Bean would feature on DCI Jones' radar? Yes it did start off as a small scale drug business, but when BC arrived he convinced JB it was easier to go buy the stuff abroad rather than produce it from home to sell, JB hadn’t gone abroad before this to buy drugs, However after meeting BC in New Zealand things changed. In the 1980’s in places like Amsterdam it was easy to obtain drugs.  But I do think some officers had marked JB's card and used it against some of the prosecution witnesses that testified against JB. I’m sure the Police knew more about JB’s drug business than we are led to believe. After all they checked out the suspected Robberies etc….so they must of known! 

Jeremy sent quite a few parcels to Scotland and made about £700.00.. that’s dealing! JM states…as far as she was concerned none of the money was banked, probably because it was forged bank notes
(the hitchhiker he gave a lift to and whom he was sending the Cannabis to was arrested for using forged bank notes)  JB collected the first £100.00 for the Cannabis from Maldon post office as no one was at home in Head Street Goldhanger. JB had to say he was collecting it for a NIGEL PAGE. All this points to the fact JB wasn’t just using drugs for his own and friends use, but making money through it.
My whole point here is that JB isn’t/wasn’t the innocent party he made out to be. He himself even asked a friend if he was mad. In my mind JB was living his life beyond his means through drugs, which eventually led to him murdering his family for money.

Opal I don't know what the definition of "dealing" is.  Buying drugs to some degree is legal in Amsterdam.  I think he went to a cafe and was presented with a menu offering different types.  Similar to the sort of thing I do when I go to Bruges and sample different beers. Why go to Amsterdam?  Novelty factor I guess.  Why do people go on hen/stag do's to the capital cities of Europe when they could just as easily go out in their locality or even another UK city.  Similar to people in the UK going over to France to buy cheese and wine.  Was JB interested in making money or was it just a bit of hobby growing something naughty and flogging it to his mates for a fiver?  He was never going to get rich growing cannabis in his small cottage/garden.  I worked in financial services for a quarter of a century  and worked alongside people who for years earned huge sums of money.  Some spent more than they earned.  Some saved more than half they earned.  Both types were greedy for more.  They certainly had a 'killer instinct' but not literally.  Their motivations were wide ranging and when it came to buying a round of drinks some of them were gone quick as a flash.  That's what I call greedy.  I don't see any evidence of a greedy JB but even if he was it doesn't mean he would kill for money. 

JB had two trips to the Antipodes.  It all seems 'normal' to me.  The sort of thing millions of young people from all over the world do every year.  He made some new friends, BC being one of them.  Tried out new things eg diving.  Found some work on a sugar plantation.  The rumours that surround these trips are quite sensational but imo there's no truth to any of it in terms of serious wrongdoing.  If there was EP's counterparts down under would have turned something up. It's all unsubstantiated gossip from small minded petty individuals whose lives seemed to start and stop within the boundaries of rural Essex    BW said NB sent JB further funds due to a 'stolen wallet' and she didn't know what happened but he got into trouble.  This could mean financial trouble ie run out of funds rather than anything more sinister.  BW sounds an interfering, small minded, busy body.

I dont think I've ever commented on SC's use of recreational drugs.  She obviously smoked cannabis as traces showed up at autopsy.  I think you will find NB and June were also tested its routine.  It appears there's some evidence of using cocaine on occasions.  I don't really see any of this as being relevant to the case?  Cocaine is used widely among the professional classes. I've worked in most areas of financial services including medical underwriting and I can assure you the use of recreational drugs amongst the professional classes is very widespread.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/9295701/Judges-son-caught-with-cocaine-and-Ecstasy-keeps-job-as-barrister.html

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/8015018/Mark-Saunders-final-hours-reconstruction.html

BC had a brother in Amsterdam hence the trips.  Yes JB rigged up some gear to grow cannabis but as I said it was far from industrial scale production.  Sort of naughty public school boy stuff. 

JM was obviously into recreational drugs pre JB and with or without him.  What do you think is "strange" about the two visits to Stringfellows?  I remember going myself around that time.  It was a popular place to visit for young people during that era. 

Did BC suggest to JB it was easier to buy abroad than grow at home?  It's easier in the sense that you can walk into a cafe, sit down have a smoke and its legal.  As I said BC had a brother in Amsterdam to visit.

Yes JB was sending cannabis to a hitchhiker based in Scotland for £100.  JB was obviously the trusting type.  How did he know he was going to get his £100?  Millions of people smoke cannabis the world over I don't see it as a big deal and certainly not a precursor to murder or the fact he was selling small quantities for profit as indicative of rampant greed.

EP went into JB's background with a fine toothcomb.  I believe RB also carried out his own enquires.  All they turned up was:

- use of cannabis, growing and selling small quantities for profit
- breaking into OCP and stealing a few hundred pounds 

Those that knew him independently such as the landlord of his local pub, manager at Burnham country club, employers at Little Chef, neighbours, either spoke highly of him or had nothing adverse to say. 

[Myster]

Those that knew him independently such as the landlord of his local pub, manager at Burnham country club, employers at Little Chef, neighbours, either spoke highly of him or had nothing adverse to say. 

Try telling that to Michael Fielder!!! 

And leave Barbara Wilson alone... she's done nothing to you! 

[Holly Goodhead]

Try telling that to Michael Fielder!!! 

And leave Barbara Wilson alone... she's done nothing to you! 

Michael Fielder didn't know JB pre murders.  He met him once.

BW makes out she's the fount of intimate knowledge about the Bamber family.  Family members such as Jackie Wood (AP's sister), Pamela B, Regine Pargeter (AP's wife) and CC make it clear the Bambers were very private people and  never discussed family matters with anyone in the extended family.  Why then would NB sit gossiping during working hours at WHF to his secretary, BW, about private family matters?  He wouldn't.  It was/is all in her mind.  CAL tells that BW's husband was incapacitated after an accident.   

Barbara worked for the Bambers for a fraction of the time Jean Boutell did and yet we never hear from JB. 

[Myster]

Michael Fielder didn't know JB pre murders.  He met him once.

BW makes out she's the fount of intimate knowledge about the Bamber family.  Family members such as Jackie Wood (AP's sister), Pamela B, Regine Pargeter (AP's wife) and CC make it clear the Bambers were very private people and  never discussed family matters with anyone in the extended family.  Why then would NB sit gossiping during working hours at WHF to his secretary, BW, about private family matters?  He wouldn't.  It was/is all in her mind.  CAL tells that BW's husband was incapacitated after an accident.   

Barbara worked for the Bambers for a fraction of the time Jean Boutell did and yet we never hear from JB. 

Fielder had seen enough of Bamber in a few short minutes to realise what a despicable character he was to stoop low enough to sell naked pictures of his deceased sister for a hefty sum!

I reckon Barbara Wilson was closer to the Bambers than you think, and more so a confidante of Nevill than Jean Boutell ever was. BW was the farm secretary for god's sake, Jean B merely the housekeeper.

[John]

Fielder had seen enough of Bamber in a few short minutes to realise what a despicable character he was to stoop low enough to sell naked pictures of his deceased sister for a hefty sum!

I reckon Barbara Wilson was closer to the Bambers than you think, and more so a confidante of Nevill than Jean Boutell ever was. BW was the farm secretary for god's sake, Jean B merely the housekeeper.

I tend to agree, Barbara was Nevill's right hand in the business and kept everything ticketyboo. I don't think there would have been a subject he wouldn't have felt comfortable raising with her such was the trust between them.  Jeremy could very well have been jealous of that relationship too.

[adam]

There is a lot of Julie's WS that wouldn't have been in the newspapers. Thread already created.

The case would have only been in the newspapers the same or following day anyway.  I doubt that Julie was reading the newspapers then.

[Holly Goodhead]

Fielder had seen enough of Bamber in a few short minutes to realise what a despicable character he was to stoop low enough to sell naked pictures of his deceased sister for a hefty sum!

I reckon Barbara Wilson was closer to the Bambers than you think, and more so a confidante of Nevill than Jean Boutell ever was. BW was the farm secretary for god's sake, Jean B merely the housekeeper.

Fielder admits he never saw the photos so we can only speculate about the nature of them.

BW lived locally.  She also worked at Maldon Growers another business the Bambers had interests in.  At one time she worked with JM.  It's obvious she liked to 'chat' (a natural instinct and pleasurable pastime for most women) evidenced by her contributions to various tv progs etc.  I don't for one moment think NB would discuss private family matters with her.  Although NB seemed affable to all he interacted with I think he had clear boundaries with employees and discussing private family matters with BW would be a complete no, no.  Men like NB, born 1924, boarding school and ex RAF pilot, simply don't go about chatting to all and sundry about private family matters.  Especially not a secretary young enough to be his daughter unless there was more to the relationship than employer/employee and there's no evidence for this. 

I have read the reason NB decided to send JB to boarding school out the area was due to the fact JB might one day employ locals to work at WHF.  I took this to mean NB likes clearly defined boundaries.

None of the family had any idea about SC's mental illness including PB.  Why would NB chat freely to BW about private family matters?

Excerpt From Colin Caffell's Book

"One of the most striking things about that day, although not altogether surprising for me, was the fact that, the more I talked to June and Nevill's relations, the more I realised none of them actually knew anything had been seriously wrong with Bambs - not even June's sister Pam.  Many of them said that had they known, they would have been more than willing to help and share the burden.  Why hadn't I contacted them and told them all about it?  I couldn't believe what I was hearing and could only reply by saying that I didn't feel it had been my business to betray the Bamber's confidence.  They were very private people whose decisions I had to respect - whether right or wrong.  These people had no idea how much I'd need them as allies to convince June and Nevill of how strongly I felt Bamb's treatment should have been changed".

[Myster]

Fielder admits he never saw the photos so we can only speculate about the nature of them.

BW lived locally.  She also worked at Maldon Growers another business the Bambers had interests in.  At one time she worked with JM.  It's obvious she liked to 'chat' (a natural instinct and pleasurable pastime for most women) evidenced by her contributions to various tv progs etc.  I don't for one moment think NB would discuss private family matters with her.  Although NB seemed affable to all he interacted with I think he had clear boundaries with employees and discussing private family matters with BW would be a complete no, no.  Men like NB, born 1924, boarding school and ex RAF pilot, simply don't go about chatting to all and sundry about private family matters.  Especially not a secretary young enough to be his daughter unless there was more to the relationship than employer/employee and there's no evidence for this. 

I have read the reason NB decided to send JB to boarding school out the area was due to the fact JB might one day employ locals to work at WHF.  I took this to mean NB likes clearly defined boundaries.

None of the family had any idea about SC's mental illness including PB.  Why would NB chat freely to BW about private family matters?

Excerpt From Colin Caffell's Book

"One of the most striking things about that day, although not altogether surprising for me, was the fact that, the more I talked to June and Nevill's relations, the more I realised none of them actually knew anything had been seriously wrong with Bambs - not even June's sister Pam.  Many of them said that had they known, they would have been more than willing to help and share the burden.  Why hadn't I contacted them and told them all about it?  I couldn't believe what I was hearing and could only reply by saying that I didn't feel it had been my business to betray the Bamber's confidence.  They were very private people whose decisions I had to respect - whether right or wrong.  These people had no idea how much I'd need them as allies to convince June and Nevill of how strongly I felt Bamb's treatment should have been changed".

We don't need to speculate about either Barbara Wilson or Michael Fielder.

Barbara Wilson knew about the will, the key to the safe which Nevill wanted hidden, the dire financial straits Jeremy got into in Australasia and his burglary of the Osea CP office, as well as Nevill's premonition/prediction that he would die by someone else's hand in a "shooting accident".

Straight from Fielder's mouth at The Nag's Head in Chelmsford...

"They (Bamber and Collins) were sniggering and giggling together like a couple of schoolboys". Bamber said "Oh, they are really good pictures of Bambi - with the biggest vibrator you ever saw."... Bamber was asking a price of £20,000 for about twenty topless and nude colour transparencies. "They show everything, right down to the last detail. They are really good pictures", said Jeremy.

Claire Powell, Murder At White House Farm.