Woman who lived with notorious Gloucester serial killers releases book
Kathleen Richards has written about her experiences living with Fred and Rose West
A woman who lived with the notorious serial killers Fred and Rose West has released a book detailing her experience.
Kathleen Richards arrived at 25 Cromwell Street in Gloucester alongside her sister at 17 years old to rent a room in the West’s home.
In the book, titled ‘Under Their Roof’, Kathleen says the family were known for being nice people and they thought they’d be safe going to live with parents and their children.
At the time of there stay another young girl named Shirley Robinson was living with the family, she unfortunately became one of the couple’s murder victims.
Kathleen told Greatest Hits Radio that it was her daughter who inspired her to write the book after years of her keeping the story to herself: “As the years went on my daughter said if you talk about your story and you write it this might help you.
“She also said mum I think you’ll help others as well who’ve been through trauma like you, any kind of trauma it’ll help them.”
Kathleen recalled that it had been a shock to find out the extent of what Fred West had done: “I used to think oh he’s just a clown, not take any notice when he’d grope me or anything, didn’t take any notice of that.
“Because I just thought he’s just an idiot or something you know, never thought that he’s a serial killer or you know he’s murdered girls.
“That wouldn’t even enter your head.”
Kathleen also played a key part in getting Rose West put behind bars after giving evidence in her trial.
Recalling the process she said: “Being in the court I wanted to actually shout to her, I wanted to say why.
“I felt really angry.”
She added: “She is honestly evil, she is as evil as Fred West.
“She was involved in some of the abuse I got as well so I know she was.”