24 September 2026
The New Role of Lord Mayor, with Jason Fazackarley
Jason Fazackarley
Paul Stickler’s experience in murder investigations, coupled with his passion for history, always make his presentations absorbing, challenging, entertaining and informative. This time he tells us about the 1946 ‘pushchair murder’. A patrolling police constable was murdered in Burton on Trent as he walked his beat during the silent hours. He had apparently disturbed a burglar. Yet it would take 10 years to bring the suspected offender before the courts, following a world-wide manhunt including the personal intervention of FBI boss J Edgar Hoover. The presentation goes beyond the crime itself to expose post-war attitudes towards American GIs who had remained in Britain after the war.
A retired detective, Dr Paul Stickler is now a historian and consultant for true crime media. He holds a PhD in history and law and has written two books: At Mrs Ridgley’s Corner (Pen and Sword) and The Long Silence (History Press). He is a member of the Crime Writers’ Association and a graduate of the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia. Paul work typically explores the details behind fascinating cases in criminal history.
As always 100% of the donations collected on the door will be given to the charity selected by the speaker. Paul has chosen to have the collection from his talk go to Diabetes UK whose vision is a world where diabetes can do no harm.
The charity campaigns for better care, gives support in times of need and funds ground-breaking research into new treatments and cure possibilities.
