Campaign for Justice

From the moment of Stuart's death, Terry Lubbock embarked on a relentless campaign to uncover the truth. He tirelessly advocated for a thorough investigation, highlighting the inconsistencies and mishandling of evidence in the initial inquiry. Terry's efforts included:

• Public Appeals: Terry made numerous public appeals for witnesses to come forward and share any information they had about the night of Stuart's death.

• Legal Actions: He pursued legal avenues to challenge the findings of the initial investigation and sought a fresh inquest into his son's death.

• Media Engagement: Terry worked closely with the media to keep Stuart's case in the public eye, ensuring that it was not forgotten.

Michael Barrymore, born Michael Ciaran Parker on May 4, 1952, is an English comedian, television presenter, and entertainer. He rose to fame in the 1980s and 1990s with popular shows like "Strike It Lucky" and "My Kind of People." 

On the night of March 31, 2001, Stuart Lubbock attended a party at the home of television personality Michael Barrymore in Roydon, Essex. The party, which included alcohol and drugs, took a tragic turn when Lubbock was found unconscious in Barrymore's swimming pool. Despite efforts to resuscitate him, Lubbock was pronounced dead at the hospital. The initial post-mortem examination revealed severe internal injuries and traces of MDMA, cocaine, and alcohol in his blood.

The investigation into Lubbock's death was marred by several critical mistakes:

1. Crime Scene Preservation: The crime scene was not adequately secured. Witnesses were allowed to leave and return, and crucial evidence was lost or mishandled.

2. Lost Evidence: Items such as a pool thermometer and a door handle, which could have been significant in determining the cause of Lubbock's injuries, were lost by the police. They had been photographed as evidence but allowed Barrymore's PA Michael Brown back in and he was seen collecting items and those I believe are the ones that would have provided crucial evidence regarding the anal rape. These intruments would be consistent with the internal damage inflicted on Stuart. 

3. Conflicting Statements: Witnesses provided conflicting statements, complicating the investigation. Some witnesses initially claimed that Lubbock had drowned accidentally and was floating when found others said he was at the bottom of the pool. 

Michael Barrymore's PA

Michael Barrymore's personal assistant, Michael Browne, was allowed back into the scene after the initial investigation. Browne was seen tidying up items, which led to the loss of potential evidence. This action raised suspicions and contributed to the belief that there was a cover-up.

The Arrest and Release

In 2007, Michael Barrymore, along with two other guests, Jonathan Kenney and Justin Merritt, were arrested on suspicion of murder and sexual assault. However, they were released without charge due to insufficient evidence. In March 2021, a 50-year-old man was arrested in Cheshire based on new information that emerged following a TV documentary. He was later released without charge due to a lack of sufficient evidence for prosecution. This i believe was Michael Browne but his identity was never released. This was not for Stuarts murder but for removing evidence at the time.

The 2018 Hearing on Damages

In 2018, Michael Barrymore sought over £2.4 million in damages for wrongful arrest, claiming that the arrest had a devastating effect on his career. The Court of Appeal ruled that Barrymore was entitled to only nominal damages of £1. The hearing revealed that the arresting officer did not have reasonable grounds to suspect Barrymore of any offence, leading to the conclusion that the arrest was unlawful.

Pathologist discredited

Pathologist Michael Heath ruled Terry's death as accidental drowning, but three others noted marks on his forehead suggesting possible asphyxiation. He also missed the internal injuries which were the basis of the information concerning anal rape. On June 19, 2006, Heath appeared before a disciplinary tribunal at the Old Bailey. The next day, his testimony was deemed unreliable. During the proceedings, Charles Miskin QC, representing the Home Office, stated, "The Home Office believes that Dr. Heath has not met the high standards expected of forensic pathologists by the Secretary of State."

More calamity from the bungling pathologist.

Dr Michael Heath: Families feared they cremated the wrong person - BBC News

Investigation by Independent Police Complaints Commission

On December 1, 2006, Terry Lubbock's attorney, Tony Bennett, submitted a dossier to the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC), prompting an investigation into over 30 allegations of incompetence and potential corruption involving Essex Police related to their £8 million inquiry into Stuart Lubbock's death. By April 2007, the IPCC escalated the investigation, appointing former Hertfordshire Police Officer Adrian Tapp to lead it. In May 2007, the IPCC agreed with Bennett to investigate a total of 38 complaints against Essex Police.

Civil action by Barrymore against Essex Police

In July 2015, Barrymore sued Essex Police for over £2.4 million, claiming harm to his reputation and career after being wrongfully arrested due to administrative errors. In August 2017, the High Court ruled he was entitled to "more than nominal" damages, but this was reversed in 2019 by the Court of Appeal, which awarded only "nominal" damages. Subsequently, Essex Police announced that Barrymore had withdrawn his compensation claim, and no payments were made.

Police case remains open

In the wake of Terry Lubbock's passing, Detective Chief Inspector Jennings remarked, "Terry's unwavering commitment to his son and his relentless pursuit of justice was truly remarkable. He served as an inspiration to many through his steadfast dedication to uncovering the truth. Our investigation into Stuart's death will continue beyond Terry's own, and as long as the case remains active, we are committed to seeking justice for him and his family. We strongly encourage anyone with information regarding Stuart's death to step forward and assist us in this crucial endeavour."

JAOC Comment

We are committed to pursuing justice for Stuart, and the crucial factor in this endeavour is the witnesses. It only requires one of them to come forward and implicate those responsible for this case to reach a resolution. The investigation centres around five suspects: Michael Barrymore, James Futers, and Simon Shaw, who departed together prior to the police's arrival, and strangely omitted in Jonathan Kenny's statement,  Jonathan Kenny and the confident bin man, Justin Merritt.

Anyone with information can come forward to us confidentially so we can help bring these people to Justice.