One of the saddest chapters in Brockham’s history is now closed.

On April 23 1968, 14-year-old Roy Linzee Tutill went missing whilst returning home from school. Three days later his body was found in the grounds of Cherkley Court, near Leatherhead, Surrey. In November 2001, just over 33 and a half years later, Brian Lunn Field was convicted of his murder.

On 15 November 2001, Brian Field was charged with his murder. He pleaded guilty and received a life sentence.

Roy lived in Wheel Wrights Cottage in Wheelers Lane, Brockham, with his late parents, brother Colin and sister Margaret.

Despite a massive murder hunt, led by Chief Inspector Paddy Doyle, who later moved to Hillside Gardens in Brockham. On his retirement from the Police, his killer still evaded capture. However modern forensic science techniques such as DNA were critical is solving the murder.

The success of this investigation came from three different areas. Clearly the introduction of modern investigative techniques such as those promulgated by the National Crime Faculty and the advances in forensic science, and in particular DNA, were major contributory factors. However neither of these would have been of any use had the case file and exhibits not been maintained in near pristine condition. That is largely due to the professionalism of the original SIO, Detective Superintendent Paddy Doyle and the subsequent Surrey Police caretakers.

Until the arrest of Lunn Field, Roy’s death was the only unsolved child murder in Surrey. Today's verdict shows that the police never close the book on an unsolved crime. It is also one of the oldest unsolved murders ever re-investigated, which has resulted in the conviction of the offender.

This case has been subject of regular review over the past 33 years, however in December 2000 the National Crime Faculty identified Brian Lunn Field as a possible suspect after comparative case analysis of abduction offences at various locations across the UK. As a result he was scheduled to be one of the first people from whom DNA would be sought, in order to confirm his involvement in this case.

Then in January 2001, the Forensic Science Service subjected exhibits retained from 1968, including his school blazer and satchel, to further examination using modern DNA techniques. Lunn Field's DNA was found on those exhibits.

Specialist Adviser, Jonathan Smith, who co-ordinated the FSS work on the case, said:

"Forensic scientists have provided support to the enquiry into the death of Roy Tutill since 1968. During this time, changes in the way the FSS handles forensic casework as well as the advent of sensitive DNA testing techniques means the FSS has been able to provide results to the police and help them with one of the older unsolved cases.

Our deepest sympathy goes out to Roy’s surviving family and our congratulations to Paddy Doyle and Surrey Police.

Sometime in the future, Surrey Police, with the help and permission of the residents of Brockham, want to ‘close the book’ and wish to mark the ‘closure’ with, possibly the planting of a tree in Roy’s memory.

I am sure this will be much appreciated. As someone said to me today, ‘we were just teenagers, Roy’s age, but we have never forgotten his name, or who he was, or where he lived’.

Colin and Margaret, if you ever read this, Brockham Village is delighted that Roy’s killer is behind bars.

May Roy continue to rest in peace.

Tony Hines

16 November 2001

Additional extracts from Surrey Police

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