Flowers in Gods Garden Synopsis
by Bernard O'Mahoney
Coming Soon

Chapter One.  The Yorkshire Ripper

Tells the story of Peter Sutcliffes campaign of murder in the north of England, which claimed the lives of thirteen women and left seven others seriously, injured.

Chapter Two.  From the Ripper...Revelations.

Whilst visiting former gangster Ronald Kray in Broadmoor hospital, O'Mahoney is approached by a journalist who is seeking "inside information" about Peter Sutcliffe who is also a Broadmoor patient. Using a pseudonym, O'Mahoney begins a correspondence with Sutcliffe, which lasts for more than twelve months. During this period Sutcliffe talks openly about his bizarre beliefs, his motive for thirteen murders and his views on everything from football to Princess Diana. The correspondence ends when the Sunday People "expose" O'Mahoney.

Chapter Three.  The murder of Paul Pearson.

Seven-year-old Paul Pearson is abducted sexually abused and murdered. This chapter details the police investigation and the search for Paul's body. Detectives arrest and charge Richard Blenkey but he refuses to answer their questions. O'Mahoney, who was surprised just how open Sutcliffe had been about his crimes during their correspondence, wonders if Blenkey would also be so open.

 Chapter Four.  My "dear friend" Richard.

O'Mahoney begins to correspond with Blenkey. Over thirteen months Richard Blenkey takes O'Mahoney on a bizarre journey during which he claims he knows the identity of Paul's killer. O'Mahoney describes two visits to Durham prison where he is subjected to abuse and threats because the other prison visitors believe he is Blenkeys friend. Blenkey sends O'Mahoney maps showing where Paul's missing clothing is buried, he also sends him letters supposedly from "the real killers. "

Blenkey also talks about the unsolved "Babes in the wood" murders in Brighton. Two young girls were sexually abused and then strangled but nobody has ever been convicted of their murders. Blenkey drew pictures of the girl's bodies and claims to have knowledge of their deaths. Two weeks before Blenkeys trial O'Mahoney tells Blenkey he knows he is lying and asks him to tell the truth about Paul's murder. Blenkey confesses to the crime in a letter, which O'Mahoney gives to the police. At his trial Blenkey changes his plea to guilty and is sentenced to life imprisonment.

There is an update to this chapter; Sussex police have taken copies of Blenkeys letters in relation to their ongoing enquiries into the Brighton murders.

Chapter Five.  The murder of Rosie Palmer.

Three-year-old Rosie Palmer is abducted raped and murdered. This chapter details the search for Rosie and the murder investigation, which followed the discovery of her body. Police arrest and charge Shaun Armstrong who denies any involvement in Rosie's death.

Chapter Six.  Please don't tell.

O'Mahoney begins to correspond with Armstrong who is initially adamant he played no part in Rosie's death. As the correspondence develops, Armstrong says he is going to try for a not guilty plea on the grounds of diminished responsibility. Armstrong's letters give a fascinating and at times disturbing insight into how he views himself and his heinous crime. A week before his trial Armstrong confesses to O'Mahoney that he had indeed murdered Rosie adding, "but please don't tell or I'm in deep shit. " O'Mahoney gives the letter to the police who confront Armstrong with it. Armstrong changes his plea to guilty and is given a life sentence.

Chapter Seven: Suffer the children

Seven-year-old Sophie Hook is abducted from a tent in her cousin's garden sexually abused and murdered. The same day, less than 40 miles away, two thirteen-year-old boys out fishing are sexually abused and murdered. The Sun newspaper publishes a reader's poll, which asks should hanging be brought back for child murder? The yes vote is overwhelming. This chapter details the three murders, the police investigations and the subsequent arrest of two suspects. Steven Heaney arrested for the murder of the two boys confesses his guilt to the police. Howard Hughes, arrested for the murder of Sophie, denies any involvement in her death. Shocking similarities in all of the child murders covered in the book emerge in this chapter, which begins to question the way the police and the public tackle the problem of paedophilia.

Chapter Eight.  Sorry seems to be the hardest word.

O'Mahoney begins to correspond with Hughes who is adamant he played no part in Sophie's death. From his cell he attempts to taunt the victims family with phone calls he asks O'Mahoney to make and letters he asks O'Mahoney to write. Supported by a liberal group called North Wales Liberty, Hughes refuses to accept his guilt but he is convicted of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Chapter Nine.  The murder of Victoria Climbie.

Seven year old Victoria Climbie is taken from her family on the Ivory Coast to begin a new life in Britain with her Aunt, Maria Kouao. After setting up home in south London, Kouao starts a relationship with a bus driver named Carl Manning. Kouao and Manning begin living together and subject little Victoria to what has been described as the worst child abuse ever known in this country. The chapter tells the story of Victoria's short life and terrible death at the hands of those who claimed to police that they never harmed her and in fact loved her.

Chapter Ten.  In the name of Jesus.

O'Mahoney corresponds with Kouao who denies harming Victoria. Kouao, a religious nut, claims Victoria was possessed by the devil and reveals she had even took the child to be exorcised by a priest. Like Hughes, despite being convicted Kouao refuses to accept any responsibility for her vile actions.

Chapter Eleven.  The murder of Sarah Payne.

The abduction and murder of eight year old Sarah Payne created headline news around the world. This chapter details events leading up to the crime being committed, the agonising search for her body and the subsequent arrest of Roy Whiting who is imprisoned for motoring offences whilst the murder investigation is still under way.

Chapter Twelve.  We don't need another hero.

O'Mahoney begins to correspond with Whiting who claims he is certain that he will never be charged with Sarah Payne's murder. Whiting sees himself as a ladies man, a real hero who claims to have been involved in motor racing and other extreme sports.

Eventually, Whiting is charged with Sarah's murder but he continues to deny being responsible. O'Mahoneys letter writing has come to the attention of those representing child murderers because of press articles following previous high profile trials and some are warned to be cautious whom they write to.

Whitings Solicitors believe O'Mahoney may be corresponding with their client and so they employ a private detective to visit his home address. Posing as a courier delivering a parcel addressed to O'Mahoney, the private detective knocks the door and is able to confirm O'Mahoney is at the address. The correspondence automatically ceases. Whiting is convicted of Sarah's murder and sentenced to life imprisonment.

Chapter Thirteen. A right to privacy and a family life.

When O'Mahoney announces that he is going to write this book to highlight the problems surrounding paedophiles and child murder, Shaun Armstrong issues a writ in an effort to stop the book being published. Armstrong claimed that when he told O'Mahoney, "Yes I am responsible but please don't tell," he was doing so in confidence and therefore when O'Mahoney told the police, he was breaching that confidence. This breach of confidence, Armstrong claimed, violated his right to privacy and a family life. He said he wanted at least £15,000 in damages. When Armstrong was granted legal aid, MP Anne Widecombe jumped to O'Mahoneys defence calling the action ludicrous and a waste of public money. Lord Irving disagreed and said everyone is entitled to the law. The case went to the High Court with O'Mahoney defending himself. After twelve months O'Mahoney successfully defended the action.

Chapter Fourteen.  Soham"s Roses.

The publicity generated by the Armstrong civil case had blown O'Mahoneys cover completely so he decided to end his letter writing. However, in August 2002, Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman went missing from the Cambridgeshire village of Soham. This chapter covers the events leading up to the disappearance of Holly and Jessica, the long search for them, the gruesome discovery of their bodies and the arrest of Ian Huntley and his girlfriend Maxine Carr.

Chapter Fifteen.  Resident evil.

O'Mahoney enlists the help of his then girlfriend, Emma Turner to correspond with Ian Huntley who was been sent to Rampton hospital for assessment, as he appeared to have suffered some form of mental breakdown during police questioning. O'Mahoney is confident that correspondence will stand up to scrutiny because his partner is using her own name and address. Over fifteen months Huntley gives a fascinating insight into himself and his relationship with Maxine Carr. Devious rather than disturbed, he even uses a code in letters which was used by Ian Brady and Myra Hindley when they corresponded with each other whilst awaiting trial. This chapter is made up of the correspondence from Huntley which police did take to be used as evidence..

Chapter Sixteen.  If only this could be...the final chapter.

This chapter tells the story of what really happened to Holly and Jessica and why they died. It is a version that as yet, remains untold. This chapter also covers Huntley and Carr's trial and subsequent convictions.

Chapter Seventeen.  The table of truth.

The book has heard from those responsible for these heinous crimes and the families of those effected. In this chapter Michelle Jazinski talks about life with her husband Tony who murdered 12 year old Marion Crofts. Following his conviction, Michelle believed herself and her five children were free from his brutal violence and mental torture. However, her Husband still taunts them in disturbing letters. The family are also attacked and verbally abused by people in their community despite the fact they too are victims of Tony Jazinski"s extreme violence.

Epilogue. The end of innocence.

The brother of child murder victim Paul Pearson has agreed to contribute to the book by writing the Epilogue. Like Winnie Johnston, who wrote the Foreword, he can best describe what needs to be done to combat this type of crime. Most of the parents of victims in this book have become involved in campaigns and have extremely strong views and so it should be a fit and proper way for the book to conclude.