Special Thanks to Rory Lushman who has brought a couple of things to my attention !
Case Managers : Mr. Stephen Mera & Mr. Tim Matthews.
Primary Case Date : Saturday, November 13th 1999.
Primary Time of Incident : 11.30 pm.
Assisting Investigators and Researchers :
Mr. Chris Clarke / Mr. Stewart Greenslade / Mr. Stuart Robinson / Mr. Ricky Traynor / Mr. Carl Walker / Miss Deborah Newton / Mr. Steve Yarwood.
Assisting Members :
Ms. Karen Day.
Witness Details :
Name : Mr. Stuart Murphy.
Approx Age : 45 - 60 Years.
Address : Currently Unknown.
Occupation : Cattle Hand / Farm Worker.
Marital Status : Married.
Contacts Made :
Horwich Police Station.
Telephone Number patched through main Greater Manchester Police Switchboard on 0161 872 5050. Contact made with WPC Trudy Robertson. Badge Number 6513.
Adlington Police Station.
Telephone Number patched through main Lancashire County Police Switchboard on 01772 614444. Message Left but no officer returned call.
Horwich Cattle Market.
Telephone No. 01204 853755. No answer.
Directory Services.
Location of The farm owner and Mr. Murphy.
Mr. Stuart Murphys Employer.
Several discussions have taken place with the farm owner who is apparently Mr. Murphys employer.
Intoduction :
On Saturday, November 13th 1999. MAPIT Head Office received a telephone call from a gentleman calling himself Mr. Murphy. His message was recorded on the telephone answering machine. This Message is as follows :-
This is Stuart Murphy here, I live on the corner of Winter Hill and ************* is in the sky, Im shitting my self here. I wondered if you can investigate or something. ************* Jesus.
The marking in the message ************* represents the message breaking up.
Due to the possible urgency we contacted Mr. Murphy by the telephone number that was obtained from caller display. The time was now 12.51 am on Sunday, November 14th 1999. A short conversation with Mr. Murphy took place :-
Mr. Murphy mentioned the farm name which is about five or six minutes away from his home. He had been working late at the farm on Saturday, November 13th 1999 when suddenly he saw a huge bright light over the farm. He described how he felt terrified and threatened. The light then moved over towards the cattle field for a short time before moving off into the distance. Mr. Murphy was worried for the cattle and quickly ran out to check them. No sooner had he reached the field he noticed the strange object turn and head towards him. He looked up at the bright object which was directly over him as he ran back to the farm house. Whilst the strange object hung over the farm again, Mr. Murphy had contacted our head office and left the message. Mr. Murphy explained that he was talking to us on a mobile telephone which is owned by the farmer and that he had worked at this particular farm for about 15 years. We informed Mr. Murphy that it was important to obtain all the details and that its best to make an arrangment with us so to discuss the incident. Mr. Murphy agread to contact us again and arrange a meeting. He informed us that he had a lot of work to do over the next few days, but he will contact us. His conversation was cut short, due to the farmer being in the vicinity and Mr. Murphy not wanting the farmer to know that he had contacted us.
Note :
Most of the conversation with Mr. Murphy was regarding calming him down and telling him to take his time talking. There were many cursing words, which is an expected reaction due to the incident. Mr. Paul Rookes and Teresa O'neil, Qualified Psychologists listened to the telephone message and commented on the stress in Mr. Murphys voice.
We did not expect to hear from Mr. Murphy until Wednesday, November 17th 1999, however, Mr. Murphy telephoned us on Sunday, November 14th 1999 at approximately, 10.30 pm. Once again, Mr. Murphy was very upset and it took considerable time to calm him down and to get him to take his time talking. He explained that three official looking gentlemen dressed in suits claiming to be from the MAFF (Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishries) had visited the farm during Sunday afternoon and had first talked with the farmer and threatened him that the farm may be closed. They then took Mr. Murphy aside and physically threatened him and his wife if he talks to anyone about what he saw on Saturday evening. At this point, Mr. Murphy told us that he had got up on Sunday morning and discovered an unusual mark on his face. A red mark stretching from his left cheek and down across his chin and onto the bottom right of his face. He described the mark as sore and itchy and that he had never had anything like this before. The alleged MAFF officials asked about the mark on Mr. Murphys face and when he told them that he had just got up with it that morning they told him that he would have to have some tests and go with them for a few days. Mr. Murphy told them he did not want to go but the officials continued to remind him about the physical threats. Mr. Murphy eventually agread and he was told by the officials that they would send a car for him at 8.00 am on Monday, Novermber 15th 1999. Mr. Murphy had also been threatened by the farmer, that he had to fully co-operate or he may lose his job, and also not to talk to anyone. Mr. Murphy was extreamly worried for himself and his wife and of course his job. He told us that he had informed the officials that he had been in touch with us. The officials told Mr. Murphy that we would also be warned and get in to trouble. Mr. Murphy did not know when he would be able to talk with us again, at this point he said that the farmer was coming and he would have to go because he would be in trouble for talking to us. Mr. Murphy then suddenly put the telephone down.
The Investigation :
On Monday, November 15th 1999, myself (Stephen Mera) and investigator Chris Clarke attended the area at 6.30 am in an attempt to locate the farm and a Mr. Murphy. By 9.00 am we had still not located the farm, so we headed back to Manchester and planned another trip.
On Monday, November 15th 1999 at 10.15 pm we telephoned the farm and talked to the farmer. We asked the farmer if we could talk to Stuart Murphy. The farmer asked who I was, to which I replied, I am a friend of Stuarts. The farmer then told me that Stuart has gone away for a few days. I then asked, Was Mr. Murphy collected this morning by the Ministry of Agriculture? The farmer paused
.. Then said, I have been instructed not to comment, please do not ring here again.
On Tuesday, November 16th 1999, myself (Stephen Mera), Chris Clarke, Stuart Robinson, & Stewart Greenslade attended the area. Once again we were unsuccsessful in locating the farm. We eventually attended Horwich Police Station where we talked to WPC Trudy Robertson. She said that she had took on baord what we had told her and was most helpful regarding the search for the farm. She looked at her sheet of farm names but was unsuccsessful in locating it. She told us that some farms may be listed under Lancashire rather than Greater Manchester, thus it would be best to contact Adlington Police Station to ask them to look at their list of farms. We did inform her that if the case be authentic, then three crimes had been committed :-
1. Physical threatening.
2. Abduction.
3. Impersonation of an MAFF Official.
WPC Trudy Robertson, (Badge No. 6513) told us that really, no crime had really been reported and that she could not do a trace on the mobile telephone number without a crime first being reported, nor could we file a missing persons report because we were not relatives. She said she would continue to look for the farm and ask other officers, and if she finds anything of interest, she would contact MAPIT Head Office. We thanked her for helping and left for Adlington Police Station. We arrived at Adlington Police Station, but it was unfortunately closed. This particular police station is not often used and is simply a converted house. We left with a plan to contact them at a later date.
By all accounts of research, we could find no references to the farm. We did however, locate a hill by the same name. We then suddenly noticed a dark blue coloured Jeep which was very close behind us. We purposely turned into a private road leading to a small coffee shop and the Jeep continued to follow us. We pulled into a small car park area and the Jeep pulled up right behing us, blocking us in. I got out of the car to see what was wrong with the Jeep driver. The gentleman was approximatly 35 years of age and was dressed in blue jeans, jumper and wearing a light coloured cap. He asked me what I was doing up near the farms and why I was looking around. I simply told him I was looking for a farm a friend works at. He asked where I was from, but, I told him no more and he got back in his Jeep and moved it forward. We turned around and headed off towards Georges Lane, but first stopping at a mobile snack bar known as the Sizzling Grill. We had refreshments and carried on. At the top of Georges Lane, we turned right onto Matchmoor Lane and followed it for about two miles. If we had carried straight on we would have ended up at the Quarry which is still very much active with workers. If we had turned left we would have come to a small forest with a signpost at the corner. The sign gives mention to the Bolton Metropolitan Council Trees and Woodlands Section along with a telephone number of : 01204 522311. Eventually, following Georges Lane we came to Old Hearts Farm. A few hours later we had still not located the farm. We eventually heading back to Manchester to conduct research and plan yet another visit.
On Tuesday, November 16th 1999, at approximately 10.00 pm the farmer was contacted again and gave his name. This was obtained by investigator Stewart Greenslade posing as a person who had got the wrong phone number.
With this new information we decided to conduct a search for a farm with the same name as the owner... yes a longshot, but we had nothing else to go on at this time Mr. Murphy has a very strong broad Irish acsent, probably Southern Irish and talked very quickly.
Our main researcher was Miss Deborah Newton. Firstly, Tim Matthews had conducted several telephone calls and had contacted the MAFF in response to the incident. He was told that there are people that visit farms who impersonate MAFF agents. He eventually obtained a return call from a Director at the MAFF who told Tim that they knew nothing of the alleged abduction, and that they do not operate on Sundays.
Note :
The mention regarding people impersonating the MAFF and visiting farms is very interesting and could have been information that was accidentally given. I can find no reference to any public mention regarding impersonations of MAFF agents. This I found unusual as I believe Tim may have as well. Tim has a way with words when attempting to obtain information, rather like telephone skills or a reporters way of talking. He is also considered a very good investigator / researcher that has no biased believe regarding UFOs, much like myself. Tim was a great help to this investigation and is considered to have equal authority to discuss the case details like myself. A 50 / 50 partnership, you could say
Miss Deborah Newton has been very sucsessful regarding her research. She had obtained a second version of the Electorial Register and been in touch with several farms, local vets, Bolton Council, and the Cattle Market at Horwich.
Deborah Newton has been extreamly efficient regarding her means and methods of research. She has been a tremendous help in locating a the farmer in the local area and also farms in the location. Mr. Stuart Robinson had done a check for Mr. Murphy and the farm owner. He gave me four telephone numbers of Murphys in the area and a people with the same name as the farmer :-
All four telephone numbers of Murphys in the area were contacted and none confirmed knowing of a Mr. Stuart Murphy.
On Sunday, November 21st 1999, myself (Stephen Mera), Stewart Greenslade, Carl Walker,
Karen Day, Stuart Robinson and Ricky Traynor attended the location once again in a final attempt to locate the farm or the where-abouts of Mr. Stuart Murphy. We arrived at the location at 10.47 am. After asking at the following farms:-
W asked at other farms and at the local public houses. We had been told to ask at Piccadilly Farm or the Sailors Club. One Farmer told us that the corner of Winter Hill is through Belmont and on the other side of Winter Hill. This was later confirmed by Deborah Newton who contacted us via telephone. She had contacted another farm and the farmer there claimed to know of an Irish gentleman by the name of Stuart Murphy, but he could not tell us where he worked as he was not sure. We were also told that the corner of Winter Hill is near the Tockholes area near Chorley. We headed of in that direction in an attempt to locate the farm.
We soon arrived at the visitors information centre who confirmed the where-abouts of a farm with the same name as the farm owners we had obtained.
We parked up and myself (Stephen Mera) and Stewart Greenslade went up and knocked on the farm house door. A gentleman eventually answered and claimed to know nothing of Mr. Murphy or a the farmer name. In fact he was pointing us in the opposite direction. As we were walking back down the farm lane back to our vehicles, a blue Jeep turned into the farm and shot up to the farmhouse. I recognised the man driving the Jeep as well as the Jeep itself. Earlier in the week during our second visit, whilst travelling down Coal Pit Road they very same dark blue Jeep was directly behind our vehicle and seemed to follow us for a mile or so. We purposely turned into a private road to a coffee shop and the Jeep continued to follow. We parked up and the Jeep stopped directly behind us, blocking us in. I got out and talked to the gentleman. He asked me what I was doing looking around the farms, I told him I was just looking for a friend. He then said, Youre not from around here are you?, No I replied. At that, the gentleman got back in the Jeep and moved it forward. I got back in my vehicle and headed off towards Horwich.
Once again, this very same driver and Jeep was seen at this farm. Very Coincidental ?
The distance beteen the first place we saw the Jeep on Coal Pit Road and the second place at the very farm is approximately 13 miles. It is also a coincidence that the very same Jeep was to arrive on the farm that we had been looking for, for almost a week, and, out of some very few cattle farms in the area, this was apparently a cattle farm. This was considered strange
We parked up and watched the farm for about ten minutes. During this time, two other vehicles had arrived at the farm, a light blue Austin Montego Estate with roof racks on and a green Volvo. A few minutes later all three vehicles left the farm and went off in different directions. The Jeep was followed and was seen pulling behind some terrace houses five minutes away down Bolton Road in Abbey Village. The Jeep seemed to be associated to one of five houses and the middle house was for sale.
We remembered that we had been told by the farmer that Stuart Murphy no longer worked at the farm and Murphy and his family were moving back to Ireland. We took several photographs and some video film of the farm. There is also a 90 minutes audio casette with this report. I contacted Tim Matthews and discused our options regarding the invstigation. It was decided that we go public with our information hoping to flush out witnesses or even Mr. Murphy himself. Also, we have had a few investigators that have complained about having problems with their telephones. Coincidental but rational explanations
or something a little unusual ?
Overview.
By all accounts, we do not think this case is a hoax due to the following reasons:-
1. The original call from Mr. Murphy was not call bard.
2. Mr. Murphy seemed to be genuinlly upset and worried.
3. At no time have we been asked to visit any location or go out of our way. In fact, Mr. Murphy commented on leaving this alone due to us getting into trouble.
4. Several coincidences, such as the Jeep, finding the possible farm, being a cattle farm, and a few problems with telephone lines such as breaks, echo effect, and a timed regular pulse.
If this case be true, we have a gentleman called Stuart Murphy that reported a UFO on Saturday, November 13th 1999, and then reporting an unusual red sore and itchy mark on his face the following morning, along with three official looking gentleman posing as MAFF officials who threatened the farmer of closing his farm, and physically threatened Mr. Murphy regarding the safety of his wife and wanting him not to mention to anyone about what was seen. Finally the abduction of Mr. Murphy by these officials at 8.00 am on Monday, November 15th 1999 who took him away for several test concerning the mark on his face. Also, Mr. Watson informing us that Mr. Murphy no longer works at the farm and himself and family are moving back to Ireland.
All very interesting
.
Pre Conclusion.
It was first thought the case was a hoax.
Conclusion.
Unknown conclusion due to lack of evidence, however, it seems that there may be some elements that are true, such as one farmer knowing of Mr. Stuart Murphy who was Irish. At this time, the investigation has been shelved for further study.
Special Thanks.
Mr. Tim Matthews for his assistance throughout this investigation.
Mr. Stewart Greenslade / Mr. Chris Clarke / Mr. Steve Yarwood / Mr. Stuart Robinson /
Mr. Carl Walker / Mr. Ricky Traynor / Ms. Karen Day and Miss Deborah Newton.
Note.
Miss Deborah Newton conducted some excellent research and should be noted that her assistance was definitely benefitial. Mr. Tim Matthews was also a great help and we thank him for his assistance.
MAPIT CASE : REF : 2694833.
CONSTRUCTED BY MR. STEPHEN MERA.
CASE MANAGERS : STEPHEN MERA & TIM MATTHEWS.
I WOULD LIKE TO MAKE IT PERFECTLY CLEAR, THAT MAPIT DOES NOT HAVE ANY BELIEF SYSTEM. THE ABOVE CASE HAS BEEN WRITTEN EXACTLY AS IT HAPPENED. OUR CONCLUSION REMAINS AN 'UNKNOWN', THIS DOES NOT MEAN THAT IT IS A HOAX, OR TRUE. WE AWAIT EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT EITHER HYPOTHESIS. HOWEVER I CAN UNDERSTAND HOW ONE MAY SPECULATE REGARDING UFO EXPERIENCES AND OF COURSE MEN IN BLACK CASES, BUT AT THE SAME TIME, CONSIDERING THE LACK OF INFORMATION, AND HOW WE OBTAINED IT, IT DOES SMELL A LITTLE FISHY.
THIS INVESTIGATION IS STILL ACTIVE. WE ARE CURRENTLY CONDUCTING RESEARCH AND COMPILING PAPERWORK. WE HAVE HOWEVER, SUSPENDED FIELD INVESTIGATION IN THE AREA OF WINTER HILL FOR NOW.
WE WOULD ALSO LIKE TO APPLOGISE TO THE RESIDENTS OF WINTER HILL. WE MAY HAVE LOOKED SUSPICIOUS DUE TO OUR MONITORING OF CERTAIN FARMS, HOWEVER, THIS WAS SIMPLY A PART OF OUR INVESTIGATION METHODS. |