I should say at this point that I've never had reason to disbelieve anything Roy has told me in the past. Our relationship is an informal one, based on two years of friendship after he gave me permission to use his pub as a 'surgery.' I don't claim to know him well-he is not a forthcoming man-but I've always found him pleasant and supportive, particularly with the help he's given me in unearthing information about Howard Stamp. Of course I was intrigued by the lie, particularly as I could see no reason for it. He might easily have said, 'I know several women who match that description, my ex-wife being one, but none of them came to the pub that day.' I was, after all, agreeing with him that Dr. Hughes was mistaken.
I was interested enough to do some further research and began by making a number of assumptions, any one of which might have been false, but which seemed worth testing. These are the assumptions I made:
1. Roy's ex-wife stole the wallet.
2. She did so because she: (a) is an opportunist thief; or (b) was told to; or (c) was interested in Dr. Hughes; or (d) a combination of the three.
3. If it was an opportunistic theft, how did she know: (a) to return the wallet to Roy; (b) that he would protect her?
4. Because she returned it, she must have known: (a) that Dr. Hughes had been at the pub earlier; (b) what he looked like.
5. She knew these facts because: (a) she had been at the pub herself; or (b) they had been given to her by someone else.
6. Apart from myself, Roy Trent is the only other person who knew when, where and why I was meeting with Dr. Hughes.
7. The only way Priscilla Fletcher could have known these details is if Roy told her.
8. If theft of money wasn't her motivation, then she wanted to know more about Dr. Hughes.
9. She did not ask Roy for details because: (a) she didn't think he would tell her; or (b) he didn't know the answers; or (c) it was he who told her to commit the theft.
10. If (b) or (c), Roy did not want to display undue interest in Dr. Hughes by quizzing me about him.
11. Dr. Hughes's only reason for coming to Bournemouth was his interest in Howard Stamp.
I already knew that Roy Trent was acquainted with Howard Stamp, if only 'by sight' (Roy's words), but it seemed reasonable to infer that Priscilla Fletcher was also connected with him in some way. Out of curiosity, I went back to the newspaper coverage at the time of Grace Jefferies' murder to see if there was anything I'd overlooked. I came across an unrelated story about a thirteen-year-old called Priscilla 'Cill' Trevelyan who went missing from her home in Highdown a week before Grace's body was found. As yet, I have been unable to establish whether Cill Trevelyan and Priscilla Fletcher are one and the same. However, there are similarities between the photograph of the missing girl and the one I've managed to track down of Priscilla Fletcher/Trent, taken five years ago at a Crown and Feathers barbecue, courtesy of Jim Longhurst. I hope Dr. Hughes will appreciate the irony! (Copies enclosed.)
While I am reluctant to jump to conclusions at this stage, it seems that Cill was subjected to a gang rape before she ran away and this would accord with Priscilla Fletcher (midforties) having a son in his thirties. I attach photocopies of the newspaper clippings which might be of interest to Dr. Hughes when he's well enough to read them. He will, of course, note immediately that Cill Trevelyan had shoulder-length dark hair. He will also note the descriptions of her assailants-none of whom was named and none of whom was charged through lack of evidence. Interestingly, the story of this missing thirteen-year-old never made it into the national press, presumably because she was posted immediately as a 'runaway.'
There is nothing to link Cill's story with Howard's except the coincidences of time and place and some thought-provoking descriptions. However, the synchronicity of events, coupled with the unnecessary theft of a wallet thirty years later, does raise questions. At the moment I have no idea what the linkage might be, but I am left with the suspicion that Priscilla Fletcher feels she has something to lose if Howard's case is resurrected. I am willing to forward further information that comes my way, if you think Dr. Hughes would be interested. I will, of course, understand if he prefers to wash his hands of it.
In conclusion, Roy Trent is not party to this information and, for the foreseeable future, I intend to remain on good terms with him. I would be grateful if you and Dr. Hughes would avoid doing anything to prejudice that position. Thanking you in advance,
Yours sincerely
Encs
Bournemouth Evening News-Saturday, May 30, 1970
CONCERN FOR MISSING GIRL
Bournemouth Police today asked for help in the search for Priscilla Trevelyan, 13, who went missing from her home in Highdown during the early hours of this morning. She is 5' 5' tall, weighing approximately 8 stone, with shoulder-length dark hair, possibly dressed in blue jeans and a long-sleeved white T-shirt. Known as Cill, the youngster is believed to have run away after an argument with her father. Mrs. Jean Trevelyan, 35, blamed her daughter's school. 'Her father was upset because she was given a week's suspension for fighting. But it takes two to make a fight and the other girl wasn't punished at all. Cill's bright and she knew that wasn't fair.' She broke down as she made a plea for her daughter to come home. 'We love her and we want her back. No one's going to be angry.'
Police are following various lines of inquiry. 'She's mature for her age,' said a spokesman, 'and she was in the company of some older boys three weeks ago. There's a possibility she may be with one of them now. Two were described as dark-haired and of medium build, the third as tall and thin with ginger hair. We are asking these boys to come forward. They have nothing to fear if they know where Cill is. The imperative is her safe return.'
Police have not ruled out abduction. 'Runaways of this age are vulnerable. They may accept offers of help from people who seek only to exploit them.' The Metropolitan Police has been alerted. 'London is a magnet for unhappy children,' said the spokesman.
Bournemouth Evening News-Monday, June 1, 1970
HUNT FOR 13-YEAR-OLD CONTINUES
Three teenage boys were released without charge today after being questioned by police over the disappearance of Priscilla Trevelyan. They matched descriptions given by one of her school friends, but all three denied knowing Priscilla or having any knowledge of her disappearance. A police spokesman says there is no
