A NEW Donal MacIntyre documentary investigating the brutal murder of Iron Acton grandfather Barry Rubery is due to be aired this weekend.
Barry was beaten to death and bound in electrical cable at his rural home on Latteridge Road five years ago. The 68-year-old’s body was found in the porch of his home, Crossing Cottage, on the morning of Thursday, April 29 2010.
Despite Crimewatch appeals, a £10,000 reward and extensive police investigations, no-one has ever been arrested for the killing which has left Barry’s family devastated.
Now, renowned investigative journalist Donal MacIntyre has spent months looking into the details of estate manager Barry for the hour-long documentary.
With access to case files and a team of experts including former Detective Chief Inspector for the Metropolitan Police, the series sees Donal investigating some of the most notorious and intriguing unsolved cases in the UK and also includes a programme on the disappearance of York chef Claudia Lawrence.
Episode 5 airs on Sunday, November 15 (9pm) on CBS Reality and explores in detail the events leading up to the violent killing of Barry, a local at The Lamb in Iron Acton.
The programme has the backing of Barry’s family including his son Philip and daughter Julie who will feature in it.
Julie Rubery told the Gazette she was hopeful the documentary would result in new information.
“We want as many people to watch it as possible and make it fresh in everyone’s heads,” she said. “Somebody somewhere might have a conscience.
“I am hopeful it will trigger people’s memories because somebody knows what happened to my dad.”
Barry was last seen alive when he was dropped off outside his home, well known by locals because of his collection of traditional red phone boxes outside and the level crossing adjacent, at 10.45pm on April 28 by friends Chris Lock and Ken Bishop, who also feature in the programme.
He had been for a Masonic Lodge meal in Downend.
Mr Lock, from Iron Acton, has previously told the Gazette: "We dropped Barry off first. He was very happy. We had had a lovely evening.
"I said goodnight Barry. His hand came up and he waved goodbye."
Julie said this documentary investigated her father’s involvement in the Masonic Lodge for the first time.
“At first I stayed away from everything written about it in the papers and on the television because it was too hard for me,” she said.
“And at the moment it feels like I have been pushed back five years. I am reliving it all again and it is very hard.
“One thing which has come out though, which hasn’t been talked about very much before, is the Masonic Lodge link.”
She added: “I just hope that somebody out there will think enough is enough.
“This family has been tortured enough.”
Avon and Somerset police said a dedicated team is still working on the case and was keen to hear from anyone who may not have previously contacted them.
Detective Chief Inspector Mike Williams said: “While a number of years have passed since Barry’s death, we have not given up on this investigation.
"We are constantly reviewing information and making further enquiries in a bid to bring the person or people responsible for Barry’s death to justice.
“We want to provide some closure to Barry’s family who still cannot understand why their father and grandfather was taken from them in such a brutal manner.
“We will not give up on this investigation and as time goes by the offender or offenders are simply making matters worse. I would urge you to come forward and contact us before we find you.”
Donal MacIntyre: Unsolved will be repeated regularly on CBS Reality.
Anyone with any information should call Avon and Somerset police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
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