VIDEO NASTY
Who was Albert Dryden? Killer whose murder of Harry Collinson was caught on video by a BBC camera crew in Butsfield
A KILLER who gunned down a council official in full view of TV cameras to protect his illegally-built bungalow has died aged 77 at his car home.
Albert Dryden built a bungalow without planning permission at Butsfield, a few miles south of Consett, County Durham, setting off a chain of events leading to a shocking crime that stunned the nation.
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Who is Albert Dryden?
Albert Dryden, 77, had been serving life in prison after he gunned down Harry Collinson, principal planning officer with Derwentside Council, in Butsfield, in June 1991.
He was released from prison last October after suffering a stroke in prison but died on September 15 at his care home.
The bearded eccentric was also convicted of the attempted murder of council solicitor Michael Dunstan and wounding PC Stephen Campbell and TV journalist Tony Belmont with intent.
During the trial at Newcastle Crown Court in April 1992, the former steelworker claimed he was mentally unwell and not responsible for his actions, but this was rejected by the jury.
Alex Watson, a Durham County Council councillor and district council leader at the time, said he had now been released after 26 years because of his ill health.
"He's been released as he has had a severe stroke and it's left him unable to talk," he said.
"He's not in a good condition but he's recovered enough to be released and placed in a residential home where there will be a measure of security.
"It was a tragic situation, no doubt about it. He said he was defending his home but the murder can never be excused, it was cold-blooded murder."
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What happened on June 20, 1991?
Dryden opened fire on Mr Collinson and Mr Dunstan as they led a council operation to demolish the bungalow he built illegally on his country lane smallholding.
He had claimed the new home was for his poorly mother and argued he did not need consent as only the roof was visible.
After Mr Collinson, a 46-year-old divorced father of two, fell mortally wounded into a ditch, Dryden fired two more shots into his heart and brain.
Footage from the shooting showed journalists and council workers fleeing for their lives, with many taking refuge in ditches to avoid the bullets.
Mr Watson said: "He was well known for having guns and ammunition but he was not taken seriously enough at the time.
"It was unbelievable, no one would have believed you if you had said this could happen before it did.
"It's a regret of mine that I was not there because if I had been I could have tried to stop him."
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What happened in the horrific footage?
The chilling footage shows Mr Collinson asking the camera crew to take a shot of Dryden’s gun.
But as the camera pans to Dryden, he fires the gun. As everyone including the crew fled, Dryden shot the police officer and the reporter.
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