Charge Expected Over PC Blakelock Murder

Scotland Yard is reportedly close to bringing murder charges over the killing of PC Keith Blakelock during the Broadwater Farm riots in north London in 1985.

The suspect, who was under 18 at the time of the riots, will be prosecuted over his involvement in one of Britain's most notorious unsolved murders, according to the Sunday Telegraph.

Detectives believe they have enough evidence to charge a man, and sources have told the newspaper that after reviewing the evidence against him, two QCs agree there is a realistic prospect of securing a conviction.

But the Metropolitan Police insisted no final decision had been taken.

A spokesman said: "The re-investigation into the murder of PC Blakelock is ongoing.

"Regular consultation with the CPS has been taking place in relation to this case as is usual in all such investigations.

"We have not reached a decision regarding any charges against any individual."

The newspaper reported that sources believed the suspect was set to be charged within weeks.

PC Blakelock, 40, was attacked as he tried to protect firefighters who were tackling a supermarket blaze at the height of the riot on the Broadwater Farm housing estate in Tottenham on October 6, 1985.

After stumbling, the father of three was surrounded by a mob screaming: "Kill the pig."

He was stabbed dozens of times and the machete-wielding killers then tried to decapitate him. A later trial heard the mob intended to parade the constable's head on a pole to taunt other officers.

Winston Silcott, Mark Braithwaite and Engin Raghip were convicted in March 1987 of PC Blakelock's murder, but their convictions were overturned four-and-a-half years later, after forensic tests on pages of key interview records suggested they had been fabricated.

In 2003, Scotland Yard reopened the murder investigation. Some 10 men have since been arrested and questioned about the killing, while fresh forensic tests have been carried out on PC Blakelock's clothes and more than a dozen murder weapons - several machetes and a kitchen knife.

Evidence gathered by the new inquiry is also believed to include significant new witness statements.