Carl Bridgewater: Target reached for memorial bench for murdered schoolboy

Adrian Goodaker, aged 54, said: “For years I’ve wanted us to have a permanent memorial to Carl and I’m overwhelmed that people have been so generous.”

The money was raised in just a month after the father of two launched an online appeal.

A bench will now be installed at one of the teenager’s favourite places, Himley Hall, overlooking the lake where he used to sail.

Thirteen-year-old Carl was finishing his afternoon paper round at Yew Tree Farm at Prestwood, near Stourbridge, at about 4.20pm on September 19, 1978, when he met his brutal death.

The elderly residents were out but the door was ajar. Carl stepped inside and was killed by a single shotgun blast to his head.

His body was found 90 minutes later slumped upright on a settee with his bag still across his shoulder. The nation was shocked at the terrible killing and a huge murder inquiry was launched.

Small-time criminals Vincent Hickey, his cousin Michael Hickey, James Robinson and Patrick Molloy were charged with his murder largely based on a ‘confession’ by Malloy to the now discredited West Midlands Police Serious Crime Squad and the men, who became known as the Bridgewater Four, were found guilty at Stafford Crown Court the following year.

The convictions were overturned on appeal in 1997 largely because of the dubious evidence-gathering methods used by the police. Malloy died in prison and Robinson lost a battle with lung cancer in 2007. No-one else has ever been successfully convicted.

WATCH: Bert Spencer responds to calls to reopen the Carl Bridgewater case

In an interview 10 years ago Carl’s parents said their pain had never gone away.

His father Brian, a retired pipe fitter, said: “Every time I see the news about other young children being killed I feel sorry for the parents. We know what they are going through.”

Attempts have been made to re-open the case, most recently two years ago when a Channel 4 documentary cast doubt on the alibi of one-time chief suspect Bert Spencer.

But Carl’s mother Janet said that re-opening the case would be too traumatic.

The couple, who still live in the same house in Wordsley where Carl was brought up with siblings Philip and Jane, no longer wish to talk publicly of their loss but gave Mr Goodaker their blessing for the memorial bench.

The buildings maintenance contractor, who used to live three doors away, said he often thought of his friend, ‘a wonderful young man who would have grown into a beautiful loving soul’.

He has penned a tribute to Carl, which will be inscribed on the bench, expected to be installed in November.