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Investigation uncovers extensive police corruption linked to Derek Ridgewell’s wrongful convictions

Sunday, 2 November 2025 5:06AM UTC

New evidence reveals that Detective Sergeant Derek Ridgewell may have framed over 100 innocent men, predominantly Black, in a scandal that spans decades and implicates a wider network of corrupt officers, prompting calls for systemic reform and justice for victims.

A long-buried chapter of police corruption in 1970s Britain is being reopened as evidence suggests that Detective Sergeant Derek Ridgewell, a British Transport Police officer, may have framed more than 100 innocent men, predominantly Black, during his tenure. Previously linked to the wrongful convictions of at least 13 individuals in London, Ridgewell’s corrupt activities appear to have been far more expansive, according to former detective Graham Satchwell, who has uncovered documents and testimonies indicating a wider network of bent officers possibly involved in the scandal.

Ridgewell, who died in jail in 1982 after serving time for stealing property from mailbags, had a notorious modus operandi. He was known to arrest men—often black and working-class—on suspicion of robbery on the London Underground. Victims were frequently beaten, coerced into false confessions, and convicted on Ridgewell’s false testimony. Among the most well-known miscarriages of justice were the cases of the Oval Four, the Stockwell Six, the Waterloo Four, and the Tottenham Court Road Two, all groups whose convictions were overturned decades later. Despite early warnings—such as a 1973 BBC investigation that exposed Ridgewell’s likely fabrication of evidence—he was promoted and allowed to operate nationwide, compounding the damage. Ridgewell worked with criminal associates, profiting from stolen goods until his eventual imprisonment for theft.

Satchwell’s continuing investigation suggests that Ridgewell’s victims could number well over 100. "Taken together with the crimes that Ridgewell allegedly solved whilst investigating for several years across the country as a Force Headquarters officer, it is most probable that many more than 100 Ridgewell victims still await justice," Satchwell said, urging survivors and their families to come forward confidentially. British Transport Police detectives are now interviewing witnesses and pursuing leads linked to Ridgewell’s former network, which may involve as many as 18 corrupt colleagues.

One of Ridgewell’s known victims, Winston Trew, recounted the devastating personal toll of Ridgewell’s actions. Detained and falsely accused in 1972, Trew spent eight months in jail before his conviction was overturned in 2019. Speaking publicly, he called on others to come forward: "He ruined people's lives and split families apart, doing untold damage. People should come forward to expose this man." Legal aid charity APPEAL, which has aided many of Ridgewell’s victims in appealing their convictions, is offering confidential support for anyone with information.

The scandal extends beyond London. Investigators have identified cases outside the capital, illustrating the breadth of Ridgewell’s corrupt influence. In one notable instance, Ridgewell and two other officers admitted to stealing from a goods depot, sharing theft profits, further blurring the lines between law enforcement and criminality. Internal newsletters from the British Transport Police revealed that Ridgewell’s team received commendations after mass arrests, which newspapers like The Mirror now report included numerous ethnic minority victims wrongfully implicated.

The unfolding inquiry has prompted calls for systemic reform. The British Transport Police have acknowledged the grievous wrongs inflicted and have supported initiatives such as scholarships aimed at improving African and Caribbean representation within the judiciary, recognising the need to address historic racial injustices. This case stands as a stark reminder of institutional failings and the enduring quest for justice by those wronged.

With thirteen names already cleared and new cases emerging, Ridgewell’s legacy casts a long shadow. However, renewed investigations and the courage of survivors and advocates alike offer hope that justice may yet be served for the many still waiting for their convictions to be overturned.

📌 Reference Map:

Paragraph 1 – ^[1] (Mirror), ^[2] (Mirror)
Paragraph 2 – ^[1] (Mirror), ^[3] (Wikipedia)
Paragraph 3 – ^[1] (Mirror), ^[4] (APPEAL), ^[5] (ITV News)
Paragraph 4 – ^[1] (Mirror), ^[6] (Wikipedia), ^[2] (Mirror)
Paragraph 5 – ^[1] (Mirror), ^[7] (The Independent), ^[3] (Wikipedia)
Paragraph 6 – ^[1] (Mirror), ^[2] (Mirror), ^[4] (APPEAL), ^[5] (ITV News)

Source: Noah Wire Services

More on this

https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/corrupt-racist-cop-framed-more-36171486 - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/corrupt-racist-cop-framed-more-36171486 - An article detailing the case of Detective Sergeant Derek Ridgewell, a British Transport Police officer who systematically framed over 100 innocent individuals, primarily Black men, in the 1970s. The piece highlights the wrongful convictions of the 'Oval Four' and 'Stockwell Six', and discusses the ongoing efforts to clear the names of those affected by Ridgewell's actions.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derek_Ridgewell - A comprehensive Wikipedia entry on Derek Ridgewell, a Scottish police officer who served in the British Transport Police. The article outlines his career, detailing his systematic framing of innocent individuals, the wrongful convictions he caused, and the subsequent legal actions that led to his imprisonment and death in 1982.
https://appeal.org.uk/court-of-appeal-quashes-convictions-linked-to-corrupt-officer-derek-ridgewell/ - An announcement from the charity APPEAL regarding the Court of Appeal's decision to quash the convictions of Errol Campbell and Ronald DeSouza. Both men were wrongfully convicted in the 1970s after being framed by Detective Sergeant Derek Ridgewell. The article discusses the legal proceedings and the impact on the victims' families.
https://www.itv.com/news/london/2023-08-04/rail-workers-jailed-on-word-of-corrupt-detective-could-have-names-cleared - A report by ITV News London covering the potential posthumous clearing of the names of two British Rail workers, Basil Peterkin and Saliah Mehmet. Both men were convicted in 1977 based on evidence from the corrupt Detective Sergeant Derek Ridgewell. The article details the review process and the implications for the victims' families.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockwell_Six - A Wikipedia article detailing the case of the Stockwell Six, a group of six Black British men wrongfully convicted of attempted robbery in 1972. The piece discusses the role of Detective Sergeant Derek Ridgewell in their convictions and the subsequent legal actions that led to the overturning of their convictions nearly 50 years later.
https://www.the-independent.com/news/uk/home-news/british-transport-police-derek-ridgewell-b2586366.html - An article from The Independent discussing the British Transport Police's response to the actions of Detective Sergeant Derek Ridgewell. The piece covers the launch of a scholarship funded by the Proceeds of Crime Act, aimed at increasing representation of British African communities within the UK judicial system, in recognition of the wrongs suffered by Ridgewell's victims.

Noah Fact Check Pro

The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may warrant further investigation.

Freshness check

Score: 8

Notes: The narrative presents new findings regarding Detective Sergeant Derek Ridgewell's extensive misconduct in the 1970s, including the potential framing of over 100 individuals. This information has not been widely reported in recent media, indicating a high level of freshness. However, the report references ongoing investigations and previously known cases, suggesting some recycled content. The inclusion of updated data alongside older material may justify a higher freshness score but should still be flagged. Additionally, the report cites a press release from the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), which typically warrants a high freshness score due to the release of new information. ([ccrc.gov.uk](https://ccrc.gov.uk/news/thirteen-convictions-relating-to-corrupt-police-officer-ds-derek-ridgewell-now-overturned-following-ccrc-referrals/?utm_source=openai))

Quotes check

Score: 7

Notes: The report includes direct quotes from former detective Graham Satchwell and Winston Trew, a known victim of Ridgewell. These quotes appear to be original and have not been found in earlier publications, suggesting potential exclusivity. However, without access to the full text of the report, it's challenging to verify the originality of all quotes.

Source reliability

Score: 6

Notes: The narrative originates from The Mirror, a UK-based tabloid newspaper. While it has a history of investigative journalism, it is also known for sensationalist reporting. The report references a press release from the CCRC, an official body responsible for reviewing miscarriages of justice, which adds credibility to the information presented. ([ccrc.gov.uk](https://ccrc.gov.uk/news/thirteen-convictions-relating-to-corrupt-police-officer-ds-derek-ridgewell-now-overturned-following-ccrc-referrals/?utm_source=openai))

Plausability check

Score: 8

Notes: The claims regarding Detective Sergeant Derek Ridgewell's extensive misconduct in the 1970s align with previously documented cases of police corruption. The report's references to known miscarriages of justice, such as the Stockwell Six and the Oval Four, support the plausibility of the narrative. The inclusion of recent developments, like the quashing of convictions in July 2025, adds to the credibility. ([ccrc.gov.uk](https://ccrc.gov.uk/news/thirteen-convictions-relating-to-corrupt-police-officer-ds-derek-ridgewell-now-overturned-following-ccrc-referrals/?utm_source=openai)) However, the report's sensationalist tone and lack of corroboration from other reputable outlets warrant caution.

Overall assessment

Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): OPEN

Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM

Summary: The narrative presents new and plausible information regarding Detective Sergeant Derek Ridgewell's misconduct in the 1970s, supported by recent developments and references to official sources. However, the reliance on a single tabloid source and the sensationalist tone of the report raise concerns about its overall reliability. Further verification from additional reputable sources is recommended to confirm the accuracy of the claims made.

Police corruption
Racial injustice
Miscarriage of justice