Barnsley man who hid body in concrete filled barrel for six years convicted of murder
55 year old Richard Dyson went missing in November 2019
A Barnsley man has been convicted of murder after killing a man and hiding his body in a concrete filled barrel for six years.
73 year old Christopher Wright has been convicted of the murder of 55 year old Richard Dyson, who was first reported missing in November 2019.
Mr Dyson had been living on Wright's land at the time he went missing. Both Wright and his long-term friend Karl Schwalbe, 72, were interviewed after his disappearance but denied any knowledge of what happened.
It later emerged Wright had delivered a trailer to nearby Alderthwaite Farm three days after Mr Dyson was last seen alive.
Six years later Richard's body was found encased in concrete inside a blue plastic barrel in the trailer.
A name badge with Wright's name was also found.
Richard was found to have been shot, with forensic evidence later proving it was one of Mr Wright's guns which injured him - Wright was also charged with firearms offences.
Schwalbe was convicted of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
Jamie Barton, Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS Yorkshire and Humberside, said: “For six years, Richard Dyson’s loved ones were left without any answers about what had happened to him.
“Despite Christopher Wright’s persistent attempts to thwart police investigations and cover up his crimes, we were able to work with South Yorkshire Police to gather evidence and present it in court to expose his guilt.
“Wright brutally murdered Richard Dyson, and then enlisted his lifelong friend to help cover his tracks. Schwalbe may not have pulled the trigger, but his lies and actions were part of a deliberate attempt to stop justice ever being delivered.
“This was a complex case, which relied on a combination of phone records, CCTV, forensic science, firearms evidence and covert recordings to prove to the jury what Wright and Schwalbe had tried so hard to conceal.
“The CPS worked closely with police to bring that evidence together and show the jury how events before and after Mr Dyson’s disappearance fitted together.
“I am pleased that both men have finally been held accountable for their roles in Richard Dyson’s death and the years-long cover-up that followed. Our thoughts remain with Mr Dyson’s family.”