20-07-2025
Anita Rose killer was free to roam streets before beating dog walker to death
Roy Barclay was found guilty last week of murdering 57-year-old Anita Rose, who died in hospital from her horrific injuries after being attacked in Brantham last July
Police left a "violent" killer to stroll the streets for two years despite him breaching his licence.
Roy Barclay was found guilty last week of murdering 57-year-old dog walker Anita Rose, who died in hospital from her horrific injuries in Brantham, last July.
Jurors were told that Barclay was on the run from police when he attacked Ms Rose, having previously been jailed 10 years for a committing grievous bodily harm with intent.
He had been living in makeshift camps, which breached his licencing conditions, that stated he should live at a fixed address.
The 56-year-old was jailed following an attack on pensioner Leslie Gunfield, then 82, after he told Barclay he would inform security about him going through rubbish bins at a Co-op supermarket in Walton-on-the-Naze, Essex. He was later released on parole in 2020.
But despite not living at a fixed address, Barclay was able to use his bank cards to order items online, and left dozens of reviews on Google Maps, showing his location was in Suffolk and Essex.
Police failed to arrest Barclay for the breach for two years.
Ex-Met Police officer Peter Bleksley told The Sun:"This was an utterly avoidable and preventable murder.
"He clearly should have been a priority. His previous violent offending - not only should he not have been released halfway through his sentence, I think he pulled the wool over the eyes of the Parole Board - but a man with that kind of violent history, should be a priority.
"These people should not be walking the streets of Britain. Proper analytical examination of his postings, of his behaviours, his lifestyle, should have meant he could have been found."
At court, jurors had heard evidence that injuries to Anita's brain were similar to those inflicted by 'high speed car crashes'.
Barclay opted to give no evidence in his defence, a move the prosecution said saw him maintain a 'wall of silence' throughout his trial.
Prosecutor Christopher Paxton KC said Barclay made internet searches after Ms Rose was attacked which included 'Can barbed wire be swabbed for DNA?' and 'How long does DNA last at a crime scene?'
The prosecutor told jurors: 'Roy Barclay made that search on barbed wire because he killed Anita by the barbed wire fence. These internet searches alone are evidence enough for you to be sure of Roy Barclay's guilt.'
Mr Paxton said Barclay also read numerous press articles relating to the attack on Ms Rose.
He added: 'While for the next four days Anita fought for her life – Roy Barclay stalked and followed every twist and turn of the news. He did so because he is Anita's killer.
'He was looking and relishing in what he had done.'
The prosecutor said Barclay had kept a 'treasure trove' of Ms Rose's items including her jacket and phone.
