THE murder of a man at his Iron Acton home remains unsolved, 15 years after his death.
Barry Rubery, who was 68, was found dead at his home in Latteridge Road on the morning of April 29, 2010.
He had been tied up and beaten to death.
Despite a series of public appeals for information in the years since his death, no-one has ever been charged with Barry’s murder. Two men were arrested and questioned in 2014 but later released without charge.
Avon and Somerset Police say they know he was killed after returning to his home at Crossing Cottage in Latteridge Road at about 10.45pm, shortly after he returned from a night out.
He was found in his porch at 8am the following day by a friend.
His wrists had been bound together with large, white cable ties and then tied, with a long extension lead, to his ankles.
Police say there was clear evidence of a struggle in his back garden and a post-mortem examination confirmed Mr Rubery had suffered fatal head injuries during a violent assault.
His home had been ransacked but, apart from his Nokia 3310 phone and a set of keys, police say very little was taken.
Cash, jewellery and a safe were left behind.
Suspicious vehicles
Detectives particularly want to hear from anyone who:
• Saw suspicious vehicles, particularly a Land Rover or black Mitsubishi L200 pickup, parked nearby
• Was connected to the crime but has not come forward out of fear or previous loyalties.
• Is concerned over a change in a friend or relative’s behaviour after the crime, or someone “showing a particular interest” in the investigation.
• Knows where the stolen property might be – it may also include a gold Masonic pocket watch, a Makita drill and an extension lead.
• Knows about trouble Mr Rubery was having at his yard, particularly from a group of people police have not been able to trace.
• Has any other information that might help police identify his killers, however small or inconsequential.
‘Do the right thing’
During a high-profile appeal in 2022 linked to a BBC documentary about the case, Detective Chief Inspector Mark Almond said police “remain as determined and committed as ever to finding out the truth and bringing his killer, or killers, to justice”.
He said: “This case has been subject to a number of hypotheses over the years, but I firmly believe those responsible for Barry’s murder had detailed knowledge of his movements and lay in wait for him to come home that night.
“One of the current areas of focus is on Barry’s yard, where he rented out storage containers to others. This yard is located next to his home at Crossing Cottage.
“In the weeks leading up to his death, Barry was described as being ‘uncharacteristically short or distracted’ and he made reference to problems at the yard, which included a dispute. We still need to know what this dispute was about and who it involved.
“We have a number of appeal points we’d like the public to consider. There will be people out there who know who was responsible for Barry’s murder and I‘d urge them to come forward now, for the sake of his family, to tell us what they know. The passage of time may allow you to speak up now when you couldn’t before.
“Please take this opportunity and do the right thing.”
Anyone with information can contact the police on 101 or Crimestoppers, on 0800 555111 or online.