One of the men imprisoned for the murder of Wordsley newspaper boy Carl Bridgewater has died of lung cancer. James Robinson died aged 73.

Mr Robinson was one of the “Bridgewater Four” accused of killing the 13-year-old paper boy at Yew Tree Farm, Prestwood, near Stourbridge, in 1978.

Mr Robinson was jailed for the murder along with cousins Vincent Hickey and Michael Hickey. He died late last week.

A fourth man, Patrick Molloy, who was given a 12 year sentence for manslaughter, died in prison in 1981. 

They were released in 1997 when the Court of Appeal ruled they had not had a fair trial at Stafford Crown Court and their convictions were quashed.

At the time, the three appeal judges also reported their “grave concern” to the Director of Public Prosecutions over police evidence in the conviction of the men.

Yet the Crown Prosecution Service said there was no realistic prospect of securing convictions against any officers. 

Despite the convictions being quashed the case into Carl Bridgewater’s death has not been re-opened.

Following his release from prison, Mr Robinson wrote a play about his experiences behind bars.