Christopher Wright Convicted of Murdering Richard Dyson
Victim's remains found in concrete barrel at Alderthwaite Farm
Image: Eddie Pollard / AI
Callum Smith
Christopher Wright, 73, has been convicted of the murder of his former lodger, Richard Dyson, 55, who disappeared in 2019.
Christopher Wright purchased materials from a building supplies shop between Richard Dyson's disappearance and his visit to Alderthwaite Farm.
CPS Yorkshire and Humberside confirmed Wright telephoned the owner of nearby Alderthwaite Farm three days after Richard Dyson was last known to be alive.
An entry in the Alderthwaite Farm owner's diary claims Wright requested to leave a trailer at the farm for a few days; he never returned to collect it.
Beyond Wright's immediate actions, Karl Schwalbe, 72, also received a conviction for conspiracy to pervert the course of justice in connection with Richard Dyson's case.
Christopher Wright and Karl Schwalbe denied any knowledge of what happened to Richard Dyson when detectives interviewed them in the months following his disappearance. Both men also claimed they could not remember the meeting on the night Richard Dyson died, according to their statements.
The differing convictions for Christopher Wright and Karl Schwalbe illustrate varying degrees of culpability in the aftermath of Richard Dyson's death, with Wright facing the primary charge of murder.
Historically, Christopher Wright's gun license had been revoked in 2016.
The legal proceedings have drawn significant public attention, with many awaiting the final sentencing. These convictions confirm the justice system's capacity to unravel complex cover-ups, even years after the initial crime.
Christopher Wright and Karl Schwalbe are due to be sentenced at Sheffield Crown Court on August 6. This date marks the culmination of a protracted legal battle.