Major breakthrough in murder of dad, 30, butchered in bed as kids slept next door as man arrested 35 years on

The Sun

6 hours ago

COPS have launched a fresh appeal to catch the killers of a beloved dad - decades after he was murdered while he slept.
Kevin Childerley, 30, was killed in his bedroom at his home in Mansfield Woodhouse, Nottinghamshire on February 19, 1990.
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The victim's wife Denise, who was 32 at the time of the savage incident, suffered lifechanging injuries which required 160 stitches and a metal plate fitted into her head.
She also lost an eye following the frenzied attack while the couple's children were sleeping next door.
A handful of high profile appeals were launched in the years following Kevin's death, but none yielded a tip.
Two men were charged with murder and attempted murder at the time of Kevin's death, but prosecutors later decided to discontinue their case.
However, Nottinghamshire Police officers recently visited the community to speak to potential witnesses as they continue to probe the death of former miner.
And today, detectives launched a fresh appeal after a 62-year-old woman was arrested at the end of April on suspicion of perverting the course of justice.
She was interviewed by detectives and bailed pending further investigations.
Detective Chief Inspector Ruby Burrow, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: "This was a savage attack which took the life of a much-loved father and left his wife with lifelong injuries.
"Throughout our investigations we have been determined to get justice for both victims in this case, as well as for their two children and the grandchildren who never got to meet their grandad.
"Kevin was a much-loved family man described as a 'joker' with a great sense of humour by those who knew him.
"The attack tore apart the family and robbed Kevin's children of a lifetime of memories.
"The case has never been closed and a dedicated team of detectives has been reinvestigating what happened that night using the latest investigative tools and technology.
"Following recent developments we have visited the neighbourhood to engage with a number of people we believe could help with our inquiries.
"It was a very positive exercise and I'd like to thank people for their cooperation.
"The arrest is also an important development and we have shared the news with Denise and other family members.
"We know the answer to Kevin's murder lies within the community and we also believe allegiances and loyalties will have changed after the passing of more than three decades.
"I'd continue to encourage anyone with any information, no matter how small, to please continue to get in touch with our officers or anonymously through Crimestoppers."
The attack tore apart the family and robbed Kevin's children of a lifetime of memories
Ruby BurrowDetective Chief Inspector, Nottinghamshire Police
Their daughter Emma Childerley, who was just five years old at the time, has previously campaigned to see justice done for her family.
"The first memory I have is being woken up by a police officer, who came into my bedroom," Emma previously said.
"He just said, 'Wake up, wake up. You need to get dressed. Do not come out of your room and don't turn your lights on.'
"We were immediately put into the next-door neighbour's house, into their bed and I remember having the neighbour crying over me and stroking my hair.
"It was only sometime later when a very unprofessional social worker blurted it out to me: 'Your dad's dead, you're mum's in hospital really injured.'
"At that point, my world crashed down. That was my best friend she was talking about."
"I very much believe this was a targeted attack. It's not just someone who broke in and decided to do this. This was clearly meant for my mum and dad and they were both meant to die.
"My dad was my best friend. He was very much a family man. He was a bit of a trickster. He loved me and my brother, I was told he could handle himself and stick up for himself and his family.
"But unfortunately, on this particular night, he was struck while he was sleeping and had absolutely no chance to defend himself or his family at all."
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