OFFENDER LESLIE FORD AND THE CROWD ON THE SEARCH AT NO 107 CROYDON

In August 2006, authorities launched a meticulous investigation at the residence of Leslie Ford at No 107 Walton Green, Croydon, part of the New Addington estate in South London. Police officers, standing in a line, began their search of the so-called House of Horror, deploying fingertip examinations over the garden where two children are believed to have been buried.

Senior officers assured the public that no stone would remain unturned as the exhaustive search continued throughout the day, after which they would determine which sections of the garden should be excavated.

Eight forensic specialists thoroughly examined the garden of the nondescript semi-detached home. The house's dark history dates back to allegations of child sexual abuse spanning four decades. It was occupied by paedophiles Stephen Dedman, who is now deceased, and Leslie Ford-Thrussell, who is currently serving a 12-year prison sentence for sex offences involving young girls.

The police initiated the search following a tip-off from Paul Dedman, now 41, Stephen Dedman’s son, who informed current residents that two children were buried in the garden.

A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman explained: “We have put up screens to cordon off the area. After the garden, we will carry out a search of the house itself. Then, a forensic archaeologist will assess the site to decide which areas should be excavated.”

Experts have emphasized the importance of meticulous examination, with Professor Margaret Cox, a specialist associated with the Time Team TV programme and experienced in excavating mass graves in regions like Kosovo, Rwanda, and Iraq, warning that uncovering bodies buried for decades is a delicate process. She noted: “With so many years gone by, you might find a skeleton, but if the ground is waterlogged or the bodies were wrapped in plastic, there could be remains of soft tissue or clothing. It’s vital to proceed with the utmost care. A child’s skull is very fragile, and some bones are so tiny they could be mistaken for pebbles.”

Neighborhood residents gathered outside the house, where Leslie Ford-Thrussell lived with Shirley, his wife and the widow of Stephen Dedman, who had succumbed to cancer. The two knew each other from their youth and are suspected of forming a pedophile ring with a third man whose identity remains undisclosed.

Locals described Ford-Thrussell, a landscape gardener, as someone who had laid dozens of patios in the area. One neighbor remarked: “If police do find bodies under his patio, all hell will break loose. Half the patios here were laid by him. Many people will be wondering what might be underneath their BBQs.”

Victims recall the garden at No 107 as a sinister “Santa’s Grotto,” decorated with gnomes, fairy lights, and a wishing well designed to lure children. Stacey Dedman, aged 19 and the daughter of Paul Dedman, was only seven when Leslie Ford-Thrussell—whom she called “Grandpa Leslie”—began abusing her.

She described her experience: “It was a hell-hole where children were seen but not heard. I always felt there was something sinister about Grandpa Leslie’s garden, and I believe children’s remains will be found. He was always in his shed or in the garden late at night. He was obsessed with digging up the lawn and laying concrete, constantly tinkering with the wishing well. He lured me into the shed with promises of ice creams, then touched me and forced me to do horrific things.”

Stacey’s testimony contributed to Leslie Ford-Thrussell’s imprisonment in 2004. She recalled how he would invite numerous children to play in the garden during weekends and give them what she described as “special hugs.”

Another victim, now aged 20, recounted being indecently assaulted and filmed naked in one of Ford-Thrussell’s homemade videos. She said: “He was creepy and smelled of sweets. I remember him digging up the entire garden and covering it with cement. There were many children around, but if you went near his wooden shed, he would go mad.”