Parents died without seeing justice

The Mickleham by-pass where Roy's body was found

The jailing for life of paedophile killer Brian Field, after he pleaded guilty to Roy Tutill's murder, has been applauded by relatives and police.

Roy's aunt Monique Guerin said: "Justice has been done at last.

"It is a shame Roy's parents had to go to their graves not knowing that justice has been done."

Roy's brother, Colin, said his initial desire for revenge has now disappeared.

Murder 'broke' parents

Retired Detective Superintendent Paddy Doyle, the officer originally in charge of the case, said outside the Old Bailey that he was sorry Roy Tutill's parents "were not here to see this day".

The 14-year-old had followed his older brother Colin's example by hitch-hiking to school 15 miles from his home.

But during an April afternoon in 1968, the youngster made the mistake of getting into a white Mini which stopped to give him a lift only miles from his home near Dorking

He was never seen alive again.

Roy's parents, said to be broken people following the murder, died before his killer was brought to justice.

Colin, now 50, moved to America but is still living with the memories of the terrible tragedy which blighted his family's life.

Colin Tutill: still lives with the tragedy

In addition to the bicycle, Roy had been saving to build a large model train collection with his brother.

Colin Tutill said earlier this year that his parents had accepted their decision to hitch-hike: "At first our parents were not too happy but they came to accept it.

"I did it for nearly three years and Roy began when he turned 14.

"There were never any problems," he said.

Revenge receded

"My prime reaction when I heard the case had been reopened and police had a suspect was surprise.

"Now it's bringing it all back.

"The first year or so I wanted revenge. But things have evolved and I can say the revenge motive is not there any more."

Roy's father died two years after the killing and his mother in 1996.

A detective who met them said: "They were two very sad people."

An earlier photograph of Brian Field

The current case officer, Detective Chief Superintendent David Cook, said Field, 65, now looked "an elderly, frail man".

He said: "That is the image - but as we came to know, he was a dangerous man who could integrate himself into people's lives.

"Appearances can be deceptive."

Field had once been described as a "lovely guy and a gent".

Sense of relief

Mr Cook added: "It gives me a great sense of relief to know that Field will never be released and, because of his age, will surely die in prison.

"It however fills me with some sadness that neither of Roy's parents are alive to see justice being done."

The officer said the investigation into his activities would continue "to determine the full extent of his criminal past.

Det Ch Supt Cook: "Field will surely die in prison"

"Through his own admission of guilt he is a dangerous man.

"I therefore appeal to any person who has information about his criminal past to come forward in order that other possible victims of his activities may also see justice done."

Mr Cook said that investigation techniques now made it more difficult for criminals to escape justice.

"We can now reach into the past and bring serious criminals to justice," he said.