Man still wanted over deaths of three teenagers in Essex crash 50 years ago

A man wanted over the deaths of three teenagers after a crash in Essex has yet to face justice in England almost 50 years ago. Three teenagers were killed and a fourth seriously injured when their vehicle collided with a sports car in Thorrington in August 1974.

Gerald Nevard was 31 at the time of the fatal collision at the bottom of Tenpenny Hill on August 3 in 1974. A warrant for his arrest was secured, but the force said the warrant remains outstanding after Gerald.

Howard Howells, 18, and Brian Holdstock, both of Brightlingsea, died when the two vehicles collided. Janet Gilpen, 16, of Wivenhoe, died when they arrived at Essex County Hospital. Another teenager, 14, suffered injuries.

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The warrant is one of over a hundred suspects in violent crimes that remain according to figures released by Essex Police. The force was one of 24 forces in the country to respond to Freedom of Information requests from the Mirror.

The figures show that forces have failed to arrest a total of 5,306 suspects for recent and historical violent crimes, some going back as far as 20 years. Just over 3,000 of the warrants from the 24 police forces that released figures to us have been outstanding for more than nine months.

The Tories have been accused of losing “any grip on law and order”. Political parties say there is a need for more police, including beat bobbies. The Home Office declined to comment on individual cases but said management of outstanding warrants is an operational matter for police.

Sergeant Dave Cook, of Stanway Road Policing Unit, told The Gazette in 2009: "Over the years, for whatever reason, it has been decided not to make an attempt to extradite him. However, times have changed and following a review of the case, we have given it back to the CPS, which considered there may be an opportunity to extradite him.

"We have always known he was in Australia and have been in touch over the years. The Australian police asked him to come back and face charges, but he never agreed. This will now be passed over to the Australian authorities, who will make a decision over whether they are prepared to extradite him."

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