23rd August 1961: A policeman and a member of the Royal Engineers using a mine detector to search the area near the scene of the murder of Michael John Gregsten. He was shot by a gunman who hitched a lift on the A6 road. James Hanratty was later convicted and hanged for the murder.
(Photo by Ron Case/Keystone/Getty Images)

Murder Car

23rd August 1961: The Morris Minor car in which Michael John Gregsten was murdered on the A6 road at Deadman's Hill, Bedfordshire, after it was found abandoned in Ilford, Essex. James Hanratty was later convicted of the murder and hanged. (Photo by Miller/Keystone/Getty Images)

August 1961: The Morris Minor car in which Michael John Gregsten was murdered on the A6 road at Deadman's Hill, Bedfordshire, being inspected by police finger-print experts after it was found in Ilford, Essex. James Hanratty was later convicted of the murder and hanged.
(Photo by Douglas Miller/Keystone/Getty Images)

Gun Found On Bus

25th August 1961: Harry Brookes, a London Transport cleaner at the Lewisham Garage, points to where a loaded and recently fired gun was found under a bus seat. Police believe the gun may be the one used in the A6 road murder of Michael John Gregsten. James Hanratty was later convicted and hanged.
(Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)

Gun Finder

25th August 1961: Edwin Cooke, the London Transport cleaner who found a loaded and recently fired gun in the back seat of a bus at Lewisham Garage. Police believe the gun was used in the murder of Michael John Gregsten on the A6 road in Bedfordshire. James Hanratty was later convicted of the murder and hanged.
(Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)

A6 Murder Charge

16th October 1961: 25 year old James Hanratty in the back of a police car at Ampthill, Bedfordshire, his head covered with a blanket. Hanratty was remanded in custody after being charged with the murder of Michael John Gregsten, at Deadman's Hill,
on the A6 in Bedfordshire.
(Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)

A6 Murder Detective

23rd November 1961: Woman detective, Inspector Arnott in Ampthill, Bedfordshire, to attend a hearing in the A6 murder case. James Hanratty was later tried, convicted and executed for the murder of Michael John Gregsten on the A6 road.
(Photo by Central Press/Getty Images)

Victim's Wife

23rd November 1961: Mrs Janet Gregsten arrives at Ampthill Court in Bedfordshire, to attend the trial of James Hanratty for the murder of her husband, Michael Gregsten. Hanratty was convicted and hanged in 1962.
(Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)