Published:
12:28 25 April 2022
The story of murdered schoolboy Rikki Neave will be at the center of a new 90-minute TV documentary airing on Channel 5 this week.
Filmed throughout Cambridgeshire and Fenland, “The Murder of Rikki Neave: The Mother’s Story” releases Wednesday, April 27 at 9 p.m.
Ruth Neave at a press conference at the Oliver Cromwell Hotel in March, Cambridgeshire.
– Credit: PA
It features an exclusive first interview with Rikki’s mother, Ruth Neave.
The programme, made by ITN Productions, comes after James Watson was found guilty of murdering six-year-old Rikki Neave on Thursday April 21.
Former Deputy Chief Constable Paul Fullwood, lead investigator, speaks to the media outside the Old Bailey in central London after James Watson was found guilty by majority.
– Credit: PA
Justice finally caught up with the more than 27-year-old Watson after he strangled six-year-old Rikki Neave when he himself was a boy.
The documentary includes some of the extensive research conducted by Ruth’s husband, Gary, and his work, over many years, with newspaper editor John Elworthy.
Interviews with Gary and John took place at the Whittlesey Library to discuss how they analyzed documents from the 1994 police investigation, showing discrepancies in many statements and building the case for the case to be reopened .
Ruth and Gary in Whittlesey.
– Credit: Archant / John Elworthy
The production team also rented Airbnb rooms in Market Deeping and Cambridge for additional filming, and our parent company Archant’s Huntingdon office was used for an additional day’s filming.
A separate TV documentary about the trial of James Watson – convicted of murder last week – is scheduled for Channel 4’s ’24 Hours in Police Custody’.
Court artist’s sketch by Elizabeth Cook of Ruth Neave, mother of Rikki Neave, appearing via video link before Solicitor John Price QC (left) at the Old Bailey, London, during the trial of James Watson (at right).
– Credit: PA
The Channel 5 production will include interviews with Ruth Neave, recorded after the verdict, recounting her long battle to get the case reopened and her reaction to the jury’s decision to convict Watson, then 13, of the murder of her son.
Ruth was originally charged with the murder but acquitted. She was, however, jailed for seven years after admitting charges of child neglect and cruelty.
Library handout photo dated 14.2.95 of Ruth Neave, centre, leaving the funeral outside King’s Lynn of her murdered son Rikki.
– Credit: PA
To view the program after broadcast, go to: www.channel5.com/show/the-murder-of-rikki-neave-the-mother-s-story
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