Man who shot dead council official in front of TV cameras in 1991 has died

A killer who shot dead a planning officer in full view of TV cameras to protect an illegally-built bungalow has died, his childhood friend said.

Albert Dryden was jailed for life after he gunned down Harry Collinson, principal planning officer with Derwentside Council, in Butsfield, County Durham, in June 1991.

The 78-year-old was released from prison in October after suffering a stroke and died in a County Durham care home on Saturday morning, said Alex Watson who was his lifelong friend and also the Derwentside Council leader at the time of the shooting.

Now an Independent Durham County Councillor, Mr Watson said: “He died in a nursing home in Langley Park.

“I knew Albert all his life, I used to do weightlifting with him.”

Mr Watson said he visited Dryden a few weeks ago and although he could no longer talk, the councillor was sure he felt remorse.

He said: “He had no quality of life, he had suffered a string of strokes, it was awful to see him in such a state.

“Harry had lost his life and the children lost their father, but Albert lost his life as well. He had a burden to carry.”

Mr Watson was not at the site when the shooting happened – something he regretted.

He said: “If I had been there I could have stopped it. People’s lives were shattered.”

Mr Collinson’s older brother, Roy, told the Northern Echo Dryden was a “bloody murderer”, adding: “Good riddance.”

The bearded eccentric was also convicted of the attempted murder of council solicitor Michael Dunstan and wounding Pc Stephen Campbell and TV journalist Tony Belmont with intent.

During the trial at Newcastle Crown Court in April 1992, the former steelworker claimed he was mentally unwell and not responsible for his actions, but this was rejected by the jury.

Dryden served 26 years of a life sentence before he was released because of his ill health.

Mr Collinson told the Echo: “He murdered a defenceless man. I get mad when people start making excuses for him, that he just an old man with white hair and a beard.”

He added: “Good riddance, I hope this is the end of it.”

Dryden opened fire on Harry Collinson and Mr Dunstan as they led a council operation to demolish the bungalow he built illegally on his country lane smallholding.

After Mr Collinson, a 46-year-old divorced father of two, fell mortally wounded into a ditch, Dryden fired two more shots into his heart and brain.

Footage from the shooting showed journalists and council workers fleeing for their lives, with many taking refuge in ditches to avoid the bullets.

After his conviction Dryden launched an appeal, although it was dismissed after a hearing in 1994.