John Kirby

John Kirby (c.1941–1973, was murdered in Corporation Park, Blackburn, in November 1973, aged 32. Mr Kirby had spent a Saturday night drinking at the Merchants Hotel in Darwen Street, Blackburn, a popular gay pub at the time. Ken Pilling, then-licensee of the Merchants Hotel, acted as a link man between Blackburn’s gay community and police. He said Corporation Park was a popular late-night meeting place for gay men. February, 26-year-old Craig, of Kendal Street, Blackburn, told Lancaster Crown Court he pretended to be gay so that he could rob him in the park.

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