'One armed bandit' killer's deathbed plea

Jun 19 2011 by Dan Warburton, Sunday Sun

A GUNMAN convicted of the notorious “one armed bandit” murder today issues a deathbed plea to clear his name... nearly 45 years after the slaying.

Michael Luvaglio was convicted of the gangland shooting of Angus Sibbett in 1967 after the businessman’s bullet-ridden body was found in the back of his E-Type Jaguar.

Luvaglio spent 12 years in some of Britain’s most infamous prisons with his accomplice Dennis Stafford, before the pair were released on life licence.

But now - as Luvaglio’s health deteriorates and he clings to life in a London hospital - the 74-year-old has opened his heart to the Sunday Sun as he launches a last-ditch bid to overturn his conviction.

Over the past four decades Luvaglio and his criminal colleague have tirelessly fought to clear their names for the crime that sent shockwaves across Tyneside.

And in an exclusive interview, Luvaglio revealed:

:: Fears he will die before he is able to quash his conviction

:: Pals have rallied together to collect a £10,000 reward for information that overturns his murder tag

:: How he once confronted Moors murderer Ian Brady during a clash in Durham’s high-security jail

:: How he has dedicated his life to helping mentally disabled children since his release from prison

Mr Sibbett’s body was found sprawled out on the back seat of a Jaguar under Pesspool Bridge in South Hetton on January 5, 1967.

He had been shot three times at point-blank range and he was found by a passing miner in the early hours of the morning.

Last night Luvaglio, who now lives in Kensington and Chelsea, in London, said he was haunted by his time in the North and revealed he could not bare to return.

He said: “Every day I open my eyes I thank God I’m still here to fight my conviction. I don’t want to die a convicted murderer.

“The heart’s still beating but it would be beating better if I could prove my innocence.

“I want to clear my name. There are 154 statements that the jury never heard, fingerprints were found that weren’t mine, and there was blood in the car that didn’t belong to me.

“I want to put pressure on people so that an inquiry can take place to look into the handling of the case. I am not a murderer.”