Appendix 3 The crown's Wirral Way theory
 

THE CROWN'S WIRRAL WAY THEORY


If the Crown prosecution's speculations were correct, John would have walked for over a mile along the Chester High Road before climbing over a fence and descending a 15-ft embankment, to join the Wirral Way. He would have been highly visible to people travelling this route, and would have had to pass by a number of houses. Yet, despite numerous requests for information in the local press, no one reported a man travelling on foot in this direction. Anyone would have been very noticeable on this section of the dual carriageway. Also, he would have been carrying stolen jewellery. which would have linked him to the crime - why would he have taken such a risk if he were guilty of the crime?


Mellock Lane Neston



Station Road Neston
 According to the Crown Prosecution, the section of the Wirral Way which John would have walked in order to get to his home passed through the only part of the unused railway line (converted to a country park) which goes through a built up area. He would have had to leave the Wirral Way at Mellock Lane, Neston, walk down Station Road (a residential area) and rejoin the Wirral way after crossing Neston High Street. Why would he have decided upon such a route? If he had thought about using the Wirral Way as a means to get home undetected, he could have chosen several access points. These all have access to car parking, and would have been 'safer' routes to choose.

The Crown prosecution speculated that: -

  • John dumped Mrs Bolshaw's car on the A540 Chester High Road
  • walked over a mile along the dual carriageway ( carrying stolen jewellery)
  • then made his way home along the Wirral Way (a disused railway line that had been transformed into a country park)
  • the route would have been over eight miles

The defence pointed out that this speculative theory made no sense whatsoever