Man's battle for justice after discovering mum was nanny killed by Lord Lucan

08.11.2022 - 03:03 / dailyrecord.co.uk

Justice for the nanny murdered by Lord Lucan decades ago began when her son discovered who his birth mother was - despite almost burning the letter that told him about his past.

Neil Berriman discovered his true origin 14 years ago when he finally opened a fading envelope left to him by his adoptive mum, the Mirror reports. Neil originally planned to burn the letter, but said his curiosity got the better of him.

The documents inside revealed his birth mum was the nanny killed by Lucan - Sandra Rivett. The life-changing information lead to the start of his campaign to get her justice in 2008.

Neil finally believes that day has come after a breakthrough of photos of a man living in Australia were deemed a definite match Lord Lucan, by a facial recognition expert.

Professor Hassan Ugail used an ­artificial intelligence algorithm to run 4000 cross-checks of seven photos – four of Lucan and three of the mystery pensioner living as a Buddhist in Australia. The expert believes it to be a match for the missing aristocrat.

Neil almost threw the envelope about his birth mum on a fire before he decided to open it.

He said: “I opened that envelope and now 14 long years later I believe we have finally found justice for my mum. As I lit the fire I decided the envelope should be consigned to the flames.

“But at the very last second I decided - because curiosity killed the cat - not to destroy it, and to open it.”

The various documents and newspaper clippings had been saved by his adoptive mother Audrey. They revealed that he was Rivett’s son.

Neil recalled: “My life changed forever. When I realised who I was, I felt shocked, shattered, I felt sad. But I still had no idea what lay ahead.”

Sandra had become pregnant with Neil following an