S17E08 | Diana Garbutt (Melsonby, North Yorkshire, 2010)

In March 2010, the small Yorkshire village of Melsonby awoke to the kind of horror rarely seen outside the pages of crime fiction.

40-year-old Diana Garbutt was found bludgeoned to death in her bed, and within minutes, a robbery was reported at the village Post Office just downstairs. The timeline made little sense, and the evidence raised more questions than answers.

What followed was a trial full of contradictions, a marriage laid bare and a community left divided. But over a decade later, some believe the real story has yet to be told - and that the justice system may have gotten it very, very wrong.

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Intro music:⁣
David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet'⁣
davidjohnbrady.com

Disclaimer:
The case discussed in this podcast episode is real and represents the worst day in many people's lives. I aim to cover such stories with a victim-focused approach, using information from publicly available sources. While I strive for accuracy, some details may vary depending on the sources used. You can find the sources for each episode on my website. Due to the nature of the content, listener discretion is advised. Thank you for your understanding and support.

References:
Arkell, H. (2014, September 30). Mother buys village post office where her daughter was brutally murdered by her husband so she can finish off work on the kitchen. Mail Online. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2775065/Mother-buys-village-post-office-daughter-brutally-murdered-hand-husband-finish-work-kitchen.html
Barnard, A. (2020, January 30). Robin Garbutt submits third application for review of Melsonby post office murder charge. The Northern Echo. https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/18196643.robin-garbutt-submits-third-application-review-melsonby-post-office-murder-charge/
Bean, D. (2010, April 1). Robin Garbutt talks about finding the body of his murdered Selby area wife Diana in their Melsonby home. York Press. https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/6535563.robin-garbutt-talks-about-finding-the-body-of-his-murdered-selby-area-wife-diana-in-their-melsonby-home/
Carter, H. (2010a, March 26). Post office murder: distraught mother in plea to track down killer. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/mar/26/post-office-murder-appeal-melsonby
Carter, H. (2010b, April 14). Husband of murdered postmistress arrested. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/apr/14/husband-postmistress-arrested-melsonby
Carter, H. (2010c, April 20). Husband in court on postmistress murder charge. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/apr/20/husband-court-postmistress-murder-charge
Criminal sentence -  Robin Joseph Garbutt - Teesside Crown Court - Mr Justice Openshaw. (2011, April 19). The Law Pages. Retrieved April 21, 2025, from https://www.thelawpages.com/court-cases/Robin-Joseph-Garbutt-6736-1.law
Diana Michelle Kiefer Garbutt (1969-2010). (n.d.). Find a Grave. Retrieved April 21, 2025, from https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/225648221/diana_michelle-garbutt
Final journey of Melsonby murder victim Diana Garbutt. (2010, May 8). York Press. https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/ryedale/8155071.final-journey-of-melsonby-murder-victim-diana-garbutt/
Harris, R. (2010, May 7). Mother of murder victim Diana Garbutt dreading funeral. York Press. https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/8153491.mother-of-murder-victim-diana-garbutt-dreading-funeral/
Hunter, N. (2011, March 26). Diana Garbutt could have died within minutes, Melsonby murder trial told. The Northern Echo. https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/8934672.diana-garbutt-died-within-minutes-melsonby-murder-trial-told/
Husband called 999 to “report” post office murder. (2011, March 21). BBC News. Retrieved April 21, 2025, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-12806611
Husband guilty of murdering postmistress wife. (2011, April 19). The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/apr/19/husband-guilty-murdering-postmistress-wife
Laycock, M. (2010a, March 25). Police: Murder of Diana Garbutt in Melsonby a ‘shocking crime.’ York Press. https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/5082643.police-murder-of-diana-garbutt-in-melsonby-a-shocking-crime/
Laycock, M. (2010b, March 26). Eggborough residents speak of shock at death of Diana Garbutt in Melsonby. York Press. https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/5085772.eggborough-residents-speak-of-shock-at-death-of-diana-garbutt-in-melsonby/
Mistry, P. (2022, November 23). Robin Garbutt: Postmaster jailed for wife’s murder loses new appeal. BBC News. Retrieved April 21, 2025, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-63734048
Neighbour of murder accused tried to help dying wife. (2011, March 22). BBC News. Retrieved April 21, 2025, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-12823928
Postmaster Robin Garbutt jailed for murdering cheating wife undone by fish and chip supper. (2012, January 27). The Mirror. Retrieved April 21, 2025, from https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/postmaster-robin-garbutt-jailed-for-murdering-178445
Postmistress Diana Garbutt’s secret life is revealed. (2011, April 2). York Press. https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/ryedale/8950893.postmistress-diana-garbutts-secret-life-is-revealed/
Postmistress murder: perfect couple hid failing marraige. (2011, April 19). The Telegraph. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/8461082/Postmistress-murder-perfect-couple-hid-failing-marraige.html
Some Facts From The Case. (n.d.). Robin Garbutt Official Website. Retrieved April 21, 2025, from https://www.robingarbuttofficial.com/some-facts-from-the-case/
The Telegraph. (2011, April 19). Guilty of murder: Robin Garbutt calls 999 after killing Diana, his postmistress wife [Video]. YouTube. Retrieved April 21, 2025, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BJFgCQNRsQE
Tubb, G. (2011a, March 21). Village Postmaster Denies Killing Wife. Sky News. Retrieved April 21, 2025, from https://news.sky.com/story/village-postmaster-denies-killing-wife-10489012
Tubb, G. (2011b, April 7). Post Office Murder: Man “Never Hurt” Wife. Sky News. Retrieved April 21, 2025, from https://news.sky.com/story/post-office-murder-man-never-hurt-wife-10488721
Village postmaster: “I didn’t kill my wife.” (2020, March 3). ITV News. https://www.itv.com/news/calendar/2020-03-03/village-postmaster-i-didn-t-kill-my-wife
Wainwright, M. (2011, March 21). Postmistress was beaten to death by husband, court told. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/mar/21/postmistress-diana-garbutt-death-court
Willis, J. (2024, May 10). Supporters of Melsonby sub-postmaster convicted of murder campaign for review. Richmondshire Today. Retrieved April 21, 2025, from https://www.richmondshiretoday.co.uk/supporters-of-melsonby-sub-postmaster-convicted-of-murder-campaign-for-review/