LEGAL attempts to clear the name of a Huddersfield man hanged for a double police murder have reached a dead end.

But a former detective determined to win a pardon for Alfred Moore has launched a new book and website to continue the fight.

On the night of July 14, 1951, 10 officers surrounded Moore’s farmhouse at Cockley Hill, Kirkheaton, hoping to catch him returning home with his haul.

Two officers were shot while trying to arrest a man as he approached the house.

Det Insp Duncan Fraser, 45, died at the scene and Pc Gordon Jagger, 42, was rushed to Huddersfield Royal Infirmary.

Moore was arrested at his farmhouse a few hours after the shooting – but the gun was never found. One theory is that the killer fled, leaving Moore to take the blame.

As he lay dying in his hospital bed, Pc Jagger picked out Moore from a nine-man identity parade. This evidence was crucial in securing the conviction of Moore.

Kirkheaton man Steven Lawson, 66, has been trying to clear the executed man’s name for five years.

The former detective believes Moore’s conviction is unsafe because of a lack of forensic evidence and a flawed identity parade.

But yesterday Mr Lawson revealed that Moore’s daughter Pat, 71, couldn’t afford to continue the case.

In December the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) announced it would not refer the conviction to the Court of Appeal.

Mrs Moore, who lives in North Yorkshire, then launched a judicial review – thinking legal aid would cover the costs.

Mr Lawson said: “I took her to a solicitor in Leeds where she signed three forms to get the ball rolling.

“Months later she learned that she would have to pay £4,000 over four years.

“Being a pensioner and surviving on little, she said no and pulled the plug.

“It’s a shame because her barrister is still of the opinion that the CCRC was wrong not to send it to the Court of Appeal.

“It’s out of time now so she can’t launch a fresh application. We’re all disappointed.”

Mr Lawson has now launched a website about the case in an attempt to keep the pressure on.

And last week, he released a new book The Wrong Head in the Noose, which is available online.

“The website gives background to the case and the people involved,” he said.

“There’s a link to the book which people can read and decide if there was a miscarriage.

“You can leave a message on the website giving your opinion of the case.

“I hope that the book will put enough pressure on the Ministry of Justice to look at this.”

For more information visit www.isthisjustice.co.uk

The Wrong Neck in the Noose is available for download from Amazon for £4.89.