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Colin Stagg: I'm still coming to terms with being proved innocent
Ted Hynds and Justin Davenport19.12.08
COLIN STAGG admitted today that he still has not fully come to terms with finally being proved innocent of killing model Rachel Nickell.
Having lived under a cloud of suspicion for more than a decade, Mr Stagg received more than £700,000 compensation for his ordeal.
The conviction of Robert Napper, who admitted manslaughter, cemented Mr Stagg's place as the victim of a near-miscarriage of justice. It was only this summer that he received a payout from the Home Office. He spent more than a year in jail awaiting trial before the case collapsed. Even after that, he remained a hate figure.
Mr Stagg told the Evening Standard: "I still haven't properly accepted how my life has changed so quickly. It was only a few months ago I was living on £45 a week and watching every penny. My main concern was feeding the dog and having a few pounds to buy a packet of fags. I said at the time of the Home Office award it was like winning the lottery. And it was. The shock still hasn't worn off.
"After more than a decade living on the breadline and being unable to get a job, it's only natural to worry about money. Yet I can't spend all that interest and a lot goes to build up the pot."
Since his windfall, he has embarked on a mini spending spree. He has bought a car, a big-screen television, a recording deck - he is an accomplished guitarist - and paid for his girlfriend Terri Marchant's patio. His first big purchase was the shiny, black 4x4 now sitting outside his home. "I wanted reliable transport to visit historic sites and beauty spots with my dog and take my girlfriend and her family for days out," he said.
He is determined to buy the three-bedroom maisonette on the Alton Estate in Roehampton, where he has lived since childhood. He is entitled to a five-figure discount from Wandsworth council. Even at the height of his infamy, he refused to move. "Nobody can understand why I still want to live here but this is my home and I love it," he said. "I feel the same way about my name. Down the years people have told me to change it and move away. But I'm a proud man and an innocent one, even when for years the general public thought I had got away with murder."
His pride is visible in the care he has lavished on his flat. Steep concrete steps to his pretty garden have been replaced by a wooden staircase and a decking veranda - complete with retractable sunshade.
Privacy fencing has gone up and a stout back gate. And, despite being cleared in the public's mind now Broadmoor patient Napper has been sentenced, he has installed low-level security lights and cameras. "You can't be too careful. There are still nutters out there," he said.
One thing he will not be splashing out on is a bed, despite Terri's pleas. He smashed and burned the marital bed when his wife left him in 1996 and has since slept on the sofa - often sharing it with his beloved labrador cross Jessie - or on a blow-up mattress.
He added: "It's nice to have been able to make these changes to my home. Until now money has been a problem. Now I can afford to invest in my home, but I don't have a 'spend, spend, spend' mentality. I've been poor too long. My one indulgence has been treating Terri's kids. They have taken me into their hearts and I'm enjoying family life for the first time since childhood."
One of his first acts on receiving his payout was to give £5,000 to a wounded veterans charity because "I firmly believe in looking after servicemen".
He adds: "For the first time in years I can see a future for myself. Once the recession is over I think I might look at investing in a small business - something which can keep me occupied. And I'd like to travel all over this country seeing the wild places I have always dreamed of visiting, but never had the means before."
Reader views (19)
Tom in Watford - Don't talk rubbish. He most certainly DID NOT tell the undercover policewoman that he did it. He denied it throughout. Get your facts straight!
- Martin, London
Frederick - Stagg has bought his council flat because he loves living there - and he is fully entitled to do so. The money he spends on the flat, which goes to the local council, can be spent on improving resources for "poor people", as you call them.
- Katy, London
Tom in Watford, you shouild "do the math". If Colin Stagg had earned the average British salary of £23,000 a year (not hard to do in London), and worked from the age of 18 to 64 (yes I know there's inflation to consider, but this is just an illustration), he would earn £1,081,000.
As it stands, Mr Stagg has been unemployable and skint for the last 16 years through no fault of his own, whereas if he'd earned £23,000 a year, he would have earned £368,000.
With that, plus the harassment he's suffered and the year in jail (where I doubt the other inmates would have been very nice to him), I think the £700,000 is well-deserved. Good luck to him!
- Liz, London
Tom - what he actually said to the undercover police officer was, "I'm terribly sorry but I didn't do it." Not sure where you are getting your facts from!
I am delighted for Colin Stagg. Yes, his compensation is hefty if it was based on one year in prison - but it's not. It's based on fifteen years' wrongful persecution and harassment (often of a violent and life-threatening nature). I am amazed that Mr Stagg has emerged with such strength and confidence, when most would have been broken down by such a terrible injustice.
- Hn, London
He was innocent of murder and I am pleased he got let off. Now he has 700,000 he should leave his council flat so that a poor person can have a home.
- Frederick, London UK
I'm sorry to say I don't like the mealy-mouthed people who are complaining about Colin's compensation. He should get more and the tabloids should be the ones footing the bill. People always talk about how in this country you assume that someone's innocent until proven guilty, but the press seemed to completely ignore that with Colin Stagg. The judge is a hero for getting it right. Watching the programme, I thought Colin Stagg came across as a nice guy who hasn't let the terrible experience affect him as much as you would expect, which is amazing really. Apparently the Sun newspaper has been shocked that it's readers have not gone along with it's attitude to Stagg. Instead they've been supporting him.
- James Gregory, Lichfield, UK
Colin you must be a decent human being, you are afterall a dog lover.Delighted you have been cleared.The Met thinks they are 'the untouchables', and you have proved them wrong.
I rest my case.
- Irene Gizelle London Uk, London UK
I saw the programme about Colin Stagg last night and was horrified and angered. A large proportion of men will say foolish and intrue things if a very attractive and manipulative woman is enticing them with the possibiity of sexual activity. Stagg was a victim of the worst kind of police entrapment.
I respect his character for not cracking up under so much pressure. I hope he has a happy and prosperous life.
- Danny, London
Good luck Mr Stagg, I always thought from day one you were being fitted up. You , Barry George, Michael Stone, to name just a few.
- Alan, USA
God Bless you Colin and good luck in the future. No wonder the public have no faith in the police system.
- Kathy Doyle, westminster england
It must have been terrible for him, but would he ever have earned £700,000 in his whole life, that compensation seems excessive?
After all he told the undercover police officer that he did it, he must really regret saying that.
- Tom, Watford (UK)
Good luck to Colin - With the admission of guilt by Napper he can finally get on with his life knowing the public also believe his innocence. Let's hope this admission can bring some peace at last for Rachel's family
- Joe Martin, London UK
Guilty - allegedly
- Jb, London
Your nightmare is over now so buy a new bed! I think you should be so proud of keeping your dignity and keeping both feet on the ground. All the best things in life are not about money, but the lack of enough, through no fault of your own, has been yet another cross for you to bear.
I wish you all the very best for a new start that brings you the happiness and fulfillment that you deserve.
- Barbara Holloway, Chelmsford, UK
Well, the guy was hounded by the press from day one, and, even when he was cleared the press were more or less hinting he had "Got Away With It"!
So all you numpties out there who say "I've nothing to fear, if I'm innocent", be warned!
The amount of miscarriages of justice that has come to light over the last few years, make you think how many have actually been uncovered!
It would appear that mordern scientific forensic methods are the stars in the show, unfortunately, the old fashioned flat foot "I've got a hunch, I can feel it in my water/bones" is still buried deep in the old Police Psychology! Thats how The late Ripper evaded detection and capture for so long! (Remember the voice cassette that convinced the top guy it was the Rippers voice)?
I rest my case!
GERONIMO
- Geronimo, LONDON MIDDLESEX
What a wonderfully positive attitude - I wish him and his family every success for the future, and a very happy Christmas and New Year.
- Kate Freemantle, Portsmouth, England
good for him.
- Ali, London
No amount of money can ever compensate for what this poor man had to endure. I really admire that he wouldn't change his name or move away. Good luck Mr Stagg and wishing you every comfort in your life in the future.
- Anon, London
Good for you Colin you deserve this. You are still young enough to start again and make the most of your new found wealth. Good luck.
- Sylvia, Essex
