Killer Loses Shorter Sentence Plea In High Court

A four-times killer has had his appeal against a life sentence refused by the High Court.

Donald Neilson, 71, labelled the infamous "Black Panther" was convicted of murdering Lesley Whittle in 1975 and also of shooting dead three sub-postmasters during armed robberies.

Neilson had kidnapped Ms Whittle, a 17-year-old schoolgirl and demanded a £50,000 ransom from her family.

Presiding over the case, Mr Justice Teare said that Neilson's current "whole life" tariff must remain intact.

Mr Justice Teare added that the only conditions under which he should be released are "great age or infirmity".

The judge added that the manner of Ms Whittle's death "indicates she must have been subjected to a dreadful and horrific ordeal".

At the time, a huge police search operation was mounted across the UK to locate the kidnap victim, but, two months later, Lesley's body was found in a drain in Bathpool Park, Kidsgrove, Staffordshire.

She was found in an underground drainage system hanging from the bottom of a ladder with wire secured around her neck.

At the time of Ms Whittle's murder, Neilson was already wanted for killing three sub-postmasters in armed raids in Harrogate in North Yorkshire, Accrington in Lancashire and Langley in the West Midlands.

He was eventually apprehended by police when he was seen acting suspiciously outside a post office near Mansfield in Nottinghamshire in December 1975.

Neilson was convicted in 1976 and was handed down four life sentences.

(DS)