ARTHUR CARR FROM ROSS-ON-WYE SENTENCED FOR MURDER AND RAPE IN HEREFORDSHIRE

In a case that has spanned decades and shocked the local community, Arthur Carr, a 62-year-old man from Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire, has been sentenced to nine years in prison for the tragic death of his young daughter, Gillian Carr. The heartbreaking case dates back to the early 1970s, with Gillian, who was between the ages of seven and nine at the time of her death, having never been found despite extensive search efforts.

Arthur Carr, residing on Nursery Road in Ross-on-Wye, was convicted of manslaughter at Hereford Crown Court in May of the previous year. However, the details of his conviction only became publicly known this week after Carr pleaded guilty to four separate charges of rape during a hearing at Worcester Crown Court. The revelation of these additional charges has added a new layer of gravity to the case, which has haunted the local community for years.

The tragic circumstances surrounding Gillian's death came to light through the testimony of Carr’s own son, Vincent Carr, who provided crucial evidence that led to his father’s conviction. Vincent, now a 35-year-old self-employed taxi driver, recounted how his father had confessed to throwing Gillian’s body into a river after beating her severely over a period spanning from February 1973 to December 1975. Vincent’s account was pivotal in the court’s decision, especially since Gillian’s remains have never been recovered despite exhaustive police investigations.

The police efforts included the excavation of a garden at the family’s former residence in The Purland, Ross-on-Wye, but to no avail. Detective Inspector Williams of West Mercia Police described the investigation as particularly challenging, given the elapsed time since Gillian’s disappearance. He emphasized the dedication of the police team, stating, “This has been an extremely difficult case to investigate because Gillian disappeared around 30 years ago and, despite an extensive search, a body has never been found. We spent a tremendous amount of time and effort to show that Gillian no longer exists and, ultimately, the court’s verdict reflects that reality.”

In addition to the manslaughter conviction, Carr faced a separate hearing at Worcester Crown Court on Wednesday, where he pleaded guilty to four counts of rape. The court was informed that Carr’s wife, Elizabeth, who passed away in 1991, was not involved in these crimes. The judge ordered that several other charges, including assault and threats to kill, be left on file, and scheduled the sentencing for a later date, pending Carr’s application for leave to appeal. Meanwhile, Carr was ordered to register as a sex offender indefinitely.

The victim’s family expressed a mixture of relief and sorrow following the court’s decision. In a statement, they conveyed their emotional struggle and their hope for justice. “It has been a traumatic time for all of us and we have had to find a great deal of courage to face Arthur. We are relieved that Gillian has at last been given a voice and we would dearly love to find her body so that we could give her what she deserves and finally put her to rest,” the family stated.

This case remains a stark reminder of the long-lasting impact of childhood trauma and the importance of justice for victims, no matter how much time has passed. The community of Ross-on-Wye continues to grapple with the tragic history, seeking closure for the loss of Gillian Carr and the crimes committed by Arthur Carr.