Victor Miller

Background

Victor Miller was a computer operator in the United Kingdom. He was described as a homosexual from Penn Fields, Wolverhampton. During the period of the offence, he was a warehouseman, and he wrote a letter to Hereford Magistrates Court to express his regrets and ask for justice to be done.

Miller preyed on newspaper boys because they were particularly vulnerable. Police later revealed that they suspected Miller, who worked in computers, was responsible for almost 30 other sexual assaults. Police believe he may have carried out 28 further sexual assaults.

Miller had a gay lover, Trevor Peacher. After the trial, Trevor Peacher said he still loved Miller but would not condone nor forgive his actions.

Miller requested never to be released. His trial judge also spoke of his uncertainty as to whether it would ever be safe to release Miller.

The offence

In February 1988, Victor Miller abducted Stuart Gough, a 14-year-old newspaper delivery boy, in Hagley, Worcestershire, after he completed his paper round. Stuart Gough was described as asthmatic.

Miller sexually assaulted Stuart Gough before hitting him repeatedly with a rock and dumping his body in remote woodland in Hertfordshire.

A fortnight later, after fruitless use of helicopters and underwater search teams, Miller was arrested for another attack.

After his arrest, Miller confessed to Stuart Gough’s murder and led police to Stuart’s battered body, hidden under a pile of leaves.

Investigation

Police searched for Stuart Gough for two weeks. The hunt covered two weeks, and Stuart’s family were inundated with flowers and letters of support from as far afield as Canada, Holland and Germany.

More than 170 police officers, including 80 detectives, were used in the inquiry. An underwater search unit and police helicopters were deployed. The Clent Hills were repeatedly scoured by dog handlers and mounted police. West Mercia detectives eventually found Stuart Gough’s body.

Police later revealed their suspicions that Miller was responsible for almost 30 other sexual assaults.

Arrest

After fruitless searches, Miller was arrested for an unconnected assault. Following that arrest, Miller led police to Stuart Gough’s body and confessed to Stuart’s murder.

Trial

Preliminary court proceedings took place at Hereford Magistrates Court, where Miller wrote a letter to express his regrets and ask for justice to be done.

Miller faced charges in a hushed courtroom. He remained silent as the charges were put to him.

Miller was accused of murdering the 14-year-old boy and of carrying him away. He was jailed for life.

Miller, aged 32, of Lennox Gardens, Penn Fields, spoke to Hereford magistrates and asked for the maximum sentence available. He told the magistrates in a statement:

"I can never make up for taking Stuart from his family. "

He also said:

"But I would ask that justice will be done, and I will receive the maximum sentence available."

Sentencing

Victor Miller was sentenced to life imprisonment.

The recommendation was that he serve 30 years.

A whole life tariff was subsequently issued to Miller by the Home Secretary, placing him in a small and select band of criminals who were informed that they would die in jail.

After the European Court of Human Rights declared a politically-set tariff illegal, Miller’s tariff was reset at 30 years.

Stuart’s family were later informed that Miller’s case would be reviewed after 25 years, and for every five years thereafter, meaning that the earliest possible release date for Miller is in 2013.

Appeals

Outcome

Miller was convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering Stuart Gough.

Aftermath

Stuart Gough’s partially clothed body was found in remote Herefordshire woodland.

Miller’s request to remain in prison for the rest of his life was recorded.

Trevor Peacher, Miller’s gay lover, broke down in tears and said he loved Miller but could not condone what he had done.