Latest Site News

[crazy chris]

From The Sun

POLICE yesterday urged Michael Barrymore to come clean over the death of Stuart Lubbock in his swimming pool 19 years ago.

They said they were now investigating a “cover-up” and insisted Stuart, 31, was raped and murdered at the TV star’s Essex mansion.

A £20,000 reward has been put up for information.

Det Chief Insp Stephen Jennings warned Barrymore, 67: “You know more about this than you said.

"It’s time now for you to clear your name or put your hands up to what happened.”

Cops said Barrymore and his seven pool party guests are all suspects in the rape and murder of Mr Lubbock.

They said none could be ruled out of their investigation — and blasted the “lies” spun over the past 19 years.

Despite several arrests, no criminal charges have been brought over the death of Stuart, 31, at Barrymore’s Essex mansion in 2001.

'IT IS TIME NOW'
Det Chief Insp Jennings said yesterday: “I would say to Michael the same thing I would say to everyone who was at that party. It is time now.

“You know more about this than you said. It’s time now for you to clear your name or put your hands up to what happened.”

Barrymore, his ex-lover Jonathan Kenney, and dustman Justin Merritt were all previously arrested over the death before being released without charge.

A source said one of those held the key to unlocking the case — and cops hoped to tempt them forward with the reward.

According to witness statements, they had been outside in a hot tub with Stuart, who was high on drink and drugs.

All three re-entered the house when police were called to reports of a drowning in the swimming pool, witnesses said.

But DCI Jennings yesterday said “someone is lying” as he pointed to “differences” in their accounts.

Ahead of a Channel 4 documentary on the case this week, investigators were yesterday looking into the possibility Stuart’s murder was “covered up”.

A swimming pool thermometer from the hot tub — which could have been used in a sex assault on the victim — later went missing.

A broken shed handle, seen by officers, also disappeared and was not found in any bins at the property in Roydon.

Cops said the brutality of the sex assault would match one or both of the objects.

A 2002 inquest heard that Barrymore’s then-PA Michael Browne was called to the house.

Police yesterday said other unnamed men “close to Barrymore” were also allowed in — giving the perfect opportunity to clean up the scene.

DCI Jennings said: "One line of inquiry has to be that this could have been a cover-up.

This post has been edited by Crazy Chris: Feb 4 2020, 08:32 AM