Frederick Roberts

Frederick Roberts was stabbed outside a pub in Herne Hill.

Man was on trial for his murder but the charges were dropped because he was dying. 

The charges were not proceeded with on humanitaian grounds.

The term used was Nolle Prosequi which means a stay of proceedings and its quite rare. It was noted that the legal order was not an acquittal or a discharge, and that the man could face a new trial if the Crown gave permission.

Frederick Roberts had lived in Melbourne Mews, Brixton.

It was alleged that the man had stabbed him with a sword in a street fight outside a pub in October 1982.

He died from stomach wounds after being rushed to King's College Hospital.

The man's solicitors said that the man had been planning to plead that he acted in 'absolute self-defence'.

It was said that te man's terminal illness was dicsovered after he recieved medical treatment in custody.