A grim reminder (From Barry And District News)

A grim reminder

BARRY'S most notorious property, the former Mochrie family home, is up for sale.

Number 43 Rutland Close, scene of five of the most gruesome killings in Welsh history, is on the market for a bargain price of £159,950.

The large five-bedroom detached house is being sold by High Street estate agent Chris Davies.

It is believed the former family home, which has lain empty for more than two years, has undergone extensive internal refurbishment, and that there are already a number of prospective buyers lined up to take a look at the property in the Highlight Park area.

Solicitor David Paddison, who represents Mrs Mochrie's brother, former Welsh International Terry Holmes, said there had been a lot of interest.

He added: "I don't know if everyone who looks at the house know what went on or how that will affect their opinions."

But while some say the house holds too many grim secrets and should be razed to the ground, others see the sale as positive.

Many of the Mochrie's former neighbours will be happy to see potential buyers looking around the property.

They believe that an end must be put to the speculation surrounding the home where dad Robert bludgeoned his wife and four children to death before killing himself.

They claim the building, where the six bodies lay undiscovered for 11 days, is a gruesome testament to the horrific events of July 2002.

They say the ghosts of the failed businessman, his wife Catherine and their children, James 18, Sian, 16, Luke, 14 and Bethan 10, should be laid to rest.

One resident, who does not wish to be named, said: "We have a memorial bench for the family. We held a community gathering on the anniversary of their deaths and we constantly leave flowers at the site.

"We do not need an empty house to remind us of those awful events."

Another said: "It's time to move on. It is just an empty house after all."

Estate agent Chris Davies said: "We've got a lot of interested parties and we are liaising with the family's solicitor regarding any interest in the property."