ROBERT MORLEY LINKED TO PRESTON SCHOOLBOY MURDER IN 1985 AFTER 24 YEARS

The long-standing mystery surrounding the brutal murder of nine-year-old Imraan Vohra in Preston has finally been solved after nearly a quarter of a century. The case, which shocked Britain in the 1980s, remained unsolved for 24 years until recent forensic advancements led to the identification of Robert David Morley as the perpetrator.

Imraan Vohra disappeared on July 11, 1985, after playing marbles with friends in a park in Preston, Lancashire. His body was discovered two days later, dumped in nearby bushes. The young boy had been subjected to a horrific sexual assault and was strangled with his own trousers. Disturbingly, his clothing was found hanging from a tree a few feet away from his body, likely left as a sickening calling card by the killer.

Despite a massive police investigation, which included a reward of £4,000 and a nationwide manhunt, the case remained unresolved for many years. The police had identified Robert Morley, a 49-year-old man living just a few hundred yards from the crime scene at the time, as a person of interest. Morley was known to have a criminal record that included theft, cheque fraud, and indecent exposure, but authorities never linked him directly to the murder during his lifetime.

Morley, a former laborer and father of seven children by different women, managed to evade capture despite the efforts of law enforcement. He moved away from Preston to Essex, then to South East London, specifically Charlton, before his death from lung cancer in 1997 at the age of 62. The case went cold for many years, and Morley died without ever facing justice for his alleged crimes.

It was only in 2001 that Lancashire detectives reopened the investigation, employing modern DNA analysis techniques reminiscent of the television series " , " to re-examine evidence from the scene. They compared DNA samples from approximately 1,400 men across the UK to evidence recovered from Imraan’s clothing. This extensive comparison ultimately linked Morley to the young boy’s clothes through a relative, providing the crucial breakthrough needed to solve the case.

Detective Chief Superintendent Graham Gardner of Lancashire Police announced that the evidence strongly indicates Morley's involvement in Imraan’s death. He expressed concern that Morley might have been responsible for other unsolved sex crimes, given his criminal history and behavioral profile. Gardner explained that Morley’s movements included living in London until 1979, then relocating to Preston, and later moving to Essex and South East London before his death.

Gardner stated: “The findings clearly point to the fact that Robert Morley is responsible for Imraan’s death and we are now endeavouring to find out more about his life. Because of advances we can now trace an offender through their family DNA. The chances of it being anyone else are a billion to one.”

While Morley’s criminal record was primarily for petty crimes, investigators noted that he appeared to be a heavy drinker, an aggressive and controlling individual, and a womanizer. However, there was no evidence to suggest he was a predatory paedophile. Authorities are now seeking to uncover whether anyone remembers him or was possibly a victim of his.

Imraan’s parents, Ismail and Habiba, expressed their belief that Morley would face punishment in the afterlife. Detective Gardner paid tribute to their dignity and resilience, acknowledging that while there is no happy ending, the case’s resolution offers some closure. The family had hoped for justice in a court of law, but they accepted that justice would come in another form.

In a brief statement, Imraan’s parents conveyed their gratitude to the police for their persistent efforts over the years and thanked the community for their cooperation. They concluded by saying, “As a family we would have liked to see justice in the courts, but justice will be done hereafter.”