How it started

[David1819]

There doesn't appear to be a bottom catch. Just one in the middle.

There is a bottom catch. It just cannot be seen on those photos because there is stuff in-front of it.

[Caroline]

As previously stated, the bathroom window was found to be closed but not secured. I believe this is the window Jeremy used later to gain entry. The family thought he used the kitchen window but that doesn't mean he did.

[Adam]

As previously stated, the bathroom window was found to be closed but not secured. I believe this is the window Jeremy used later to gain entry. The family thought he used the kitchen window but that doesn't mean he did.

The prosecution case was that he entered through the bathroom window.

Then exited through the kitchen window & banged it from outside until the catch fell into place. Which could be done.

The kitchen sink tidy & fairy liquid by the kitchen window were moved by Bamber as he climbed onto the surface board to exit the kitchen window.

[Adam]

No one has supported the possibility that Sheila massacured 4 people, then did some washing up & moved the sink tidy & fairy liquid.

No one has supported David's suggestion that the house keeper committed perjury because she didn't want to work under Bamber at WHF.

Lookout has not provided a source that Sheila made Nevill & June a cup of tea on the massacre night. Although that is no alternative reason why these 2 items would be moved for the first time in up to 20 years.

[David1819]

The prosecution case was that he entered through the bathroom window.

Then exited through the kitchen window & banged it from outside until the catch fell into place. Which could be done.

How does he secure the lower catch?

[Adam]

Items were moved for the first time in up to 20 years -

From a fixed position.

On the massacre night.

At the exact location which Bamber had to climb onto.

To exit the only possible exit window.



This information was important enough for the housekeeper to testify. There is no record of Bamber or the CT disputing this.

It will have to be added to the forensic evidence list.

[Adam]

How does he secure the lower catch?

Don't ask me. Ask the prosecution.

They wouldn't say Bamber exited through the kitchen window & banged it shut from outside unless it could be done. Otherwise the defence would dismiss this & the prosecution case falls apart. The defence didn't.

What side of the window did Bamber exit from ?

Once the window is shut the bottom just automatically falls to the floor. 

[Adam]

Bamber just needed to ensure the bottom latch was in the air, probably at a 12 o'clock position,  as he shut the window.

If he shut the window quickly, the bottom catch is still in the air. It will travel downwards and then hit the bottom of the window in the position the photo shows it in.

That is if he exited from that side of the window.

[Adam]

There is a bottom catch. It just cannot be seen on those photos because there is stuff in-front of it.

The crime scene picture is the one with the sink tidy on it's edge. This is the photo the housekeeper was shown.

As you said, you can't see the bottom latch in that photo.

You putting up another photo not taken at the crime scene is of no use.

The important thing for Bamber was that the window's middle handle fell into place after he banged the window from outside a few times.

[lookout]

There's a small raised block in the centre of the sill which will have a couple of spaced lugs so that when the hasp/catch is down two holes have to fit in a secure position-------which can't be down from the outside as it has to be accurate.

[lookout]

Older windows and their fitments tend to stiffen over the years as well as a slight warping of the wood surrounding the windows making moving parts sluggish.
It's an impossibility to secure these windows from the outside.
 The centre catch has to be fully " home " or the window won't even lock from the inside. They are manual catches and aren't designed to bang shut to lock.

[Steve_uk]

This is a modern window anyway; I thought that the windows which could be banged to were more likely to be the old sash windows?

[Adam]

Anyway I have answered David's question with 3 replies.

The photo he put up of the bottom lock wasn't even a crime scene photo. I also don't know if he exited from that side.

Lookout you need to revert to you're gut feeling theories. Focusing on the window & PB's WS will just make Bamber look more guilty.

[lookout]

This is a modern window anyway; I thought that the windows which could be banged to were more likely to be the old sash windows?

No,you don't bang sash windows,they're lifted to close or by using a pane to pull down.They're operated by weights on either side of the casement. 

[Steve_uk]

No,you don't bang sash windows,they're lifted to close or by using a pane to pull down.They're operated by weights on either side of the casement.

But as you say the wood may have become warped over time and the catches may have become pliable over that period.