Tracey McCafferty – Neil Wilby Media

‘My head’s a shed’

It is now more than twenty four years since a seven year old boy was murdered in a horrific arson attack in Marsh, Huddersfield. Believed to be the longest running unsolved child murder investigation in the country. Joe McCafferty died whilst enjoying a sleepover at his aunt’s home in Haywood Avenue at the start ofContinue reading “‘My head’s a shed’”

Watchdog has neither bark nor bite

The perennial shortcomings of the so-called ‘police watchdog’, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), are very well rehearsed in the local regional and national media and, of course, elsewhere on this website, writes Neil Wilby. Not least in an excoriating piece published just two days ago, and headlined ‘All for nothing’, the full textContinue reading “Watchdog has neither bark nor bite”

Funeral funds appeal for local legend

In a very widely shared and read article published on this website last Friday, the sad and untimely death of a Huddersfield man, described as ‘a local legend’, was reported (read in full here). Dale Scandling, from the Dalton area of the town was, on any independent view, a very popular figure. Known, almost universally,Continue reading “Funeral funds appeal for local legend”

Father will never see justice for murdered 7 year old son

Dale Scandling from Dalton, Huddersfield, died in the early hours of Friday 5th November, 2021 following a short illness. He was just hours past his 59th birthday. He leaves behind his parents, Brian and Margaret Scandling, two sisters, Wendy and Gill, two sons, Dale Jnr and Nicky and three grandchildren, Tegan, Luka and Brooke. VeryContinue reading “Father will never see justice for murdered 7 year old son”

Bereaved family re-launch justice campaign for murdered boy

At around 5am on Saturday 3rd May, 1997, petrol was poured through the letterbox of a stone built terraced house in Haywood Avenue, Marsh, Huddersfield. From evidence found at the scene, it took a number of attempts to light the accelerant but, having done so, the flames took hold very quickly and created intense heatContinue reading “Bereaved family re-launch justice campaign for murdered boy”