Rot at the Core: The Serious Crimes of a Detective Sergeant

A shocking exposé of police corruption, a miscarriage of justice, and the fight for redemption in 1970s London.

In March 1972, four young black men, the Oval Four, are wrongly arrested for theft and assault, victims of a corrupt system. DS Derek Ridgewell, the real criminal, orchestrates a series of events that lead to their imprisonment. Graham Satchwell and Oval Four victim Winston Trew expose the rotten culture within the British Transport Police that enabled Ridgewell's crimes.

This is more than a true crime story; it's a historical account of institutional racism and a testament to the resilience of those who fight for justice. Perfect for readers of true crime, legal history, and social justice, Rot at the Core reveals the far-reaching ramifications of unchecked power and the enduring quest for truth.

GRAHAM SATCHWELL served in every rank of CID within the British Transport Police (1978-1999). For many years Britain's most senior railway detective, his books include, 'Great Train Robbery Confidential' and 'An Inspector Recalls' for The History Press.

WINSTON TREW was wrongly convicted of theft and assault as one of the Oval Four in 1972. His conviction was finally overturned in December 2019. He has previously published a personal memoir, Black for a Cause.