Lance Corporal Neville Richards murder: Police in fresh bid to solve murder of hero soldier

Victim: hero soldier Neville Richards, 22
Metropolitan Police
Justin Davenport20 October 2016
WEST END FINAL

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Detectives today launched a new attempt to solve the murder of a hero soldier who was killed in an arson attack 34 years ago.

Lance Corporal Neville Richards, 22, died rescuing his family after petrol was poured through his Battersea flat’s front door and lit on Boxing Day 1982.

His wife Martina, 20, mother and stepfather escaped after he raised the alarm — but he was overcome by fumes. Firefighters kicked down the front door but were too late to save him.

No one has been charged with his murder but Scotland Yard’s specialist cold case team has now opened a new investigation after an evidence review.

Today his widow, now Martina Lewis, said: “There’s not a day goes by that I don’t think of him. I appeal to anyone who knows anything, however small, to listen to their conscience so the person who did this awful crime can be caught.”

Det Insp Susan Stansfield also asked for the public’s help, saying: “It’s heartbreaking that three decades on Mr Richards’ family still haven’t seen his killer brought to justice.”

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