Ex-policeman in murder plot case

A retired police officer from Telford has been charged with conspiring to murder his wife.

Barry John Harrison, 65, of St Michael's Road, Madeley, appeared before Telford magistrates yesterday alongside two other men.

He is jointly charged along with Tony David Kent, 33, of Chockleys Meadow, Leegomery, and Sundeep Patel, 48, of Flag Leasowe, Madeley.

All three are accused of conspiring to murder Carol Harrison in Telford between February 1 and April 27 this year.

They will next appear before a judge at Shrewsbury Crown Court for a plea and directions hearing on Tuesday.

All three were remanded in custody until next week's hearing.

Neighbours today confirmed that Harrison was a retired police officer, and that he lived in St Michael's Road with his wife Carol.

The couple are believed to have lived in the area for at least 30 years.

A spokesman for the Crown Prosecution Service confirmed that the case would be heard at Shrewsbury on Tuesday.

A judge would then decide which court the case would be heard at following that appearance.

This afternoon, spokeman for Telford Police Chris Ammonds confirmed that Harrison had been arrested on Friday and Kent and Patel were arrested on Saturday.

All three were held in police custody and officers applied to the court for more time to question them before they were charged and appeared before the town's magistrates yesterday.

A shocked neighbour in St Michael's Road, who asked not to be named, said today: "We are like one big family around here.

"You can go and knock on anyone's door if you need help.

"I've lived here for 40 years and we have never had anything like this in the area before.

"No-one can understand what's going on."