Richard Dyson: The diary note which unlocked an unsolved murder case in Yorkshire

Police have revealed the seemingly forgetable diary note which helped detectives unlock a murder case that had gone unsolved for years.

South Yorkshire Police had been investigating the disappearance of Richard Dyson since 2019, believing him to have been murdered.

But despite the continued investigations, detectives were unable to solve the case or even find Mr Dyson’s body.

Following the conviction of a farmer and former butcher Christopher Wright, 73, for the murder of Mr Dyson last month, Wright was told he is likley to die in prison after being jailed for at least 35 years.

Wright’s childhood friend Karl Schwalbe, 72, was convicted of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice after helping to conceal the crime.

Mr Dyson did odd jobs for the farmer but the pair fell out after Wright, an antique firearms collector, suspected him of stealing from him and selling on possessions.

The 73-year-old shot Mr Dyson and dismembered him before hiding his body in a barrel, which was loaded onto a trailer and left on an unwitting neighbour’s land.

But a chance phone call to a local resident by a detective revealed a diary note which ultimately unlocked the case.

Detective Constable Tom Ryan, who was assigned to the case for South Yorkshire Police, chased up a short telephone call that had taken place three days after Richard went missing.

DC Ryan said he expected the man would not remember the phone call at all - but in fact not only did he remember it, he had also made a diary note.

DC Ryan said: “I thought if I asked, do you remember a call you got six years ago, lasting 39 seconds, he would definitely say no, but not only did he say ‘yes I remember’ he also had it written down in a diary.

“He kept a diary about all comings and goings on his land and then explained how Wright had never come back to collect his trailer.

“He then asked me if I wanted to go and see the trailer.”

“At this stage all the pieces fell into place in my mind and I knew that I had found Richard.”

DC Ryan visited the trailer where he found the blue barrel, and could see bones poking out.

He added: “After all these years - Richard was discovered.”

The local resident said although he agreed it was strange, Wright dropped the trailer off with no further information, and never returned to pick it up.

Following the discovery, police began to search Weight and Schwalbe’s properties, and the case was blown wide open.

During the sentencing of the pair, Mr Justice Cotter KC passing sentence commented on how the local man was an innocent person who Wright exploited and he should be commended for his support in securing justice.

Sometimes the smallest piece of information that may seem irrelevant could be the missing link to securing justice for victims, and we’re continuously thankful to our communities.

Speaking of what Wright did to his victim, the judge said: “You had worked as a butcher and were skilled enough to do such a terrible thing, something few ordinary people would have the stomach for.”