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Terry Lubbock has since written a book about the failure of the police to bring a conclusion to this case, called: ‘Not Awight’ Getting Away With Murder. ‘Awight’, being Michael Barrymore’s catch phrase.

Stuart Lubbock, 31, a butcher and a family man, was found dead in Michael Barrymore’s swimming pool after a drug fuelled party had taken place at the comedian’s £2 million mansion in March, 2001.

Barrymore had invited people back from a local nightclub for some late night partying at his large house in Royden, Essex.

Around 5 in the morning screams were heard coming from Barrymore’s home by his next door neighbours.

5.46 - the police were called by one of the guests, Justin Merritt – Which leaves 46 minutes unaccounted for.

A woman guest at the party witnessed Barrymore hurrying away from the house, before the police arrived, with a bundle, of what looked like clothing, under his arm.

Barrymore was later arrested on drug charges after a witness at the party told of Barrymore forcefully rubbing cocaine on Lubbock’s gums on the night in question.

Justin Merritt and Barrymore’s former boyfriend Jonathan Kenny were also arrested on suspicion of murder and sexual assault following the death of Stuart Lubbock in Barrymore’s swimming pool.

“Analysis of the case casts doubt over whether Stuart’s body was ever in the swimming pool, and suggests evidence of a cover-up of how Stuart died”.

Barrymore was released with a caution with no further charges but suspicion has always hung over him after pathologists found evidence Mr Lubbock had been raped and asphyxiated”.

In 2002 the inquest into Stuart Lubbock’s death, recorded an open verdict. Even though Medical evidence showed that severe internal anal injuries had been inflicted upon Lubbock.

The body had fatal criminal injuries and showed all the signs of a serious sexual assault with an object the size of a fist, and a cocktail of drugs, including, ecstasy, cocaine and alcohol were found in Lubbock’s body.

Barrymore suggested the injuries were caused by a “rectal thermometer” used by doctors trying to revive him, or “a necrophilia attack in the mortuary”. Insisting that the injuries happened AFTER the body left his house.

It was the lack of any real substance in the witness statements that seemed very suspicious. The 8 guests at the party appeared to close ranks and any real account of what happened on that night was not forthcoming.

It also shows that Essex Police bungled the £8million investigation into Stuart Lubbock’s death. Evidence was not collected.

A 5 inch pool thermometer and a door handle which could have been used in the attack were seen on the crime scene photographs, but had mysteriously vanished from the house when the police later went for them.

“Also Blood on boxer shorts, towels and a robe was not investigated promptly. And witnesses were allowed to tidy up inside the house, even though it was a potential crime scene”.

One could understand Mr Lubbock Senior’s frustration at the lack of care and justice afforded to this case and his son. It appeared lazy, and in the end the outcome was treated as “unascertainable”.

“Police readily accepted that probable cause of death was drowning and did not search Barrymore’s house for five months, despite post-mortem evidence suggesting foul play. It meant vital clues might have been lost”.

Certain items of evidence were not looked into. The fact that Stuart Lubbock’s shorts seem to have been changed, as there was only one small spot of blood on the pair he was found in.

From the damage internally he would have bled quite a bit and it would appear that someone had changed his shorts. In which case, where was his original pair?

What was the bundle that Michael Barrymore was seen carrying away from the house in such a hurry before the police arrived? Why was this not looked into, and more importantly, found? Surely this was vital evidence to the case.

And what strange behaviour for Barrymore to leave his house before the police arrived, knowing there was a dead body on his premises. Fight or flight? - It would seem Michael Barrymore chose to flee! - Leaving his guests to face the music.

In 2007 after returning from New Zealand, where the fallen comedian had fled after the incident, the police re-arrested Barrymore on suspicion of murder and sexual assault and questioned him about Lubbock who was found dead in his swimming pool six years previously.

After the allowed 12 hours the police released Barrymore on bail pending further enquiries. He refused to answer any questions on instruction by his lawyer, who said: His client “categorically denies the allegations that have been made”.

‘On 21 July 2007, the Daily Mirror reported that Barrymore had had to be restrained in a gay club called The Fire in Vauxhall, South London, after he was seen trying to force an Ecstasy tablet down the mouth of a young 17-year-old gay man who had only recently ‘come out’. Barrymore was described as ‘like a man possessed’. www.monstersandcritics.com

Terry Lubbock, who has tirelessly campaigned for the last six years for the justice of his son, had forced Essex police to reopen the case 5 years later. At the time, Terry said of the arrest of Barrymore and two other men was “The day I’ve been waiting for”.

Sadly no charges were brought, and once again this dubious case is left hanging in the air.

Awight? – No, not really! - There is a definite, questionable cloud hanging over this unsolved case and the mysterious circumstances surrounding it.

One that needs solving and lifting, so that Mr Lubbock Senior can finally allow his son’s memory to rest in peace. -