Frank and Eddie were originally arrested on charges of aggravated burglary and assault on Alexander McCracken
Armstrong, a well- known criminal in the area. This was totally unconnected with the murder. However, by the
time the police had finished questioning Armstrong, he had made a statement saying that Eddie and Frank had
threatened to kill him and dump his body in Kielder Forest. At this time, Armstrong himself was under arrest
for theft and burglary. The statement was made approximately four months after the alleged attack by Eddie
and
Frank.
Ellen Harris, formerly Ellen Wiseman, later admitted that it was she who had assaulted Armstrong, had
stolen his furniture and wrecked his house. She was charged and subsequently pleaded guilty to the offence
at
North Shields Magistrates Court where she was given a fine. She said that nobody else was involved in the
assault or burglary and that she committed the offence when she had returned to the house later after the
other people involved in the case had gone