Black Panther Killer: A 50-Year Legacy of Fear

In 1975, 17-year-old Lesley Whittle was kidnapped from her home by Donald Neilson, a criminal notorious for his black attire and balaclava, earning him the moniker 'the Black Panther.' This horrifying act followed a nationwide crime spree during which Neilson had already murdered three sub-postmasters in different towns across England. The abduction of Lesley Whittle from her family's home in Shropshire sent shockwaves across the country, initiating a massive police investigation.

Despite a series of attempted ransom drops and a vast manhunt, Lesley was tragically found dead approximately two months after her kidnapping, discovered in a drainage shaft in Staffordshire. Donald Neilson was eventually apprehended in December of the same year, exhibiting suspicious behavior near a post office in Nottinghamshire. His trial for the kidnapping and murder captivated the nation, with his defense lawyer recounting the complexities of representing a widely condemned figure.

Neilson confessed to the kidnapping and extortion but denied murder, claiming Lesley's death was accidental. He was found guilty of murder and kidnapping in 1976 and received a sentence of four life sentences. He later died in prison in December 2011. A new BBC Sounds series, 'The Cop, The Kidnap and The Killer,' revisits this chilling case on the 50th anniversary of Neilson's arrest, featuring interviews with those closely involved.