Latest News
Man found guilty of the
murder of Riley Workman
11/5/2012
A man has today (November 5) been found guilty of the murder of
retired Lieutenant Colonel, 83-year-old Riley Workman, who
was shot dead on the doorstep of his home in Furneux Pelham in
2004.
33-year-old
Christopher Docherty- Puncheon (formerly Nudds) of Stocking Pelham
has been sentenced to 40 years in prison. He has been on trial at
St Albans Crown Court since October 2. He was found guilty
following more than 17 hours of deliberation by the jury. He had
been charged in July 2010 following a re-examination of
evidence.
Senior Investigating Officer Detective Superintendent Bill
Jephson said: “The events on the evening of January 7, 2004
instigated an investigation which was extremely complex and
far-reaching. Continuous reviews of the case have taken place over
the years and subsequently resulted in the charge of Christopher
Docherty-Puncheon.”
Bill continued: “This was a shocking and senseless crime and
understandably the case attracted significant national and
international media attention. We had pledged never to close the
books on this case and to bring Riley’s killer to justice. Today,
nearly nine years since he was shot dead, this has been
achieved.
“Whilst justice cannot bring Riley back, I hope his family,
who have been supported by officers since his death, can find some
comfort in the sentence his killer has been given.”
Riley was a very private man but had enjoyed a varied life with
a long and distinguished career in the army followed by work in the
antiques business. During the trial into his death the court heard
how Christopher Docherty- Puncheon had killed Riley with a shotgun
on his doorstep on the evening on January 7, 2004. The weapon has
never been found. The court also heard how he had killed
21-year-old Fred Moss in Cambridgeshire later that year.
Bill added: “Docherty- Puncheon is a cold and calculating man
responsible for the murders of two men. He has never given a reason
as to why he killed Riley and has protested his innocence
throughout.
“I would like to thank Riley’s family who have worked with us
closely since the murder. We pledged we would never give up on this
case and they have showed incredible strength, resilience and
support throughout. I would also like to thank all those officers
and staff who have been involved in the case since 2004; the
witnesses who have attended and given evidence at court and the
local community for their perseverance and the wider prosecution
team.”
Baljit Ubhey OBE, Chief Crown Prosecutor for Thames and Chiltern
Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) said: “This case involved the
cold-blooded murder of 83-year-old Lieutenant Colonel Robert Riley
Workman at his home in Furneaux Pelham in January 2004, almost nine
years ago.
“Christopher Docherty-Puncheon has today been found guilty of
the murder of Colonel Workman.
“Today’s guilty verdict brings a successful end to a complex and
lengthy investigation by Hertfordshire Constabulary. We have worked
closely with them throughout the investigation and the guilty
verdict reflects the strength of the prosecution case.
“This case highlights to the public that both the CPS and the
police are committed to continually reviewing and detecting
unsolved cases and that victims and their families should never
give up hope. We will continue to work closely with our
partners to ensure that criminals are brought to justice.
“This also sends a very clear message to anyone who thinks that
they have escaped justice for serious offences that our
determination to ensure that justice is done remains undimmed, even
years after offences are committed.
"I hope that today's outcome gives some sense of justice to the
victim’s family, with the knowledge that the person who killed
Colonel Workman has been convicted and punished. Our thoughts
are very much with them all at this time.”