S11E02 | The Murder of Gillian Atkins (Deeping St James, 1983)

In this episode, I tell the story of Gillian Atkins, a 14-year-old girl murdered in Deeping St James, Lincolnshire, on April 14, 1983.

Gillian popped out to buy a packet of crisps that evening and was last seen standing alone on a bridge in the middle of the village between roughly 8:30 pm and 9:00 pm.

She never came home, leading to a frantic search by her family and dozens of police officers, which sadly ended the following day when her body was discovered in a neighbour's back garden.

Robert France was the person responsible for sexually assaulting and killing Gillian. He was arrested on suspicion of murder two weeks after her body was discovered.

France received a life sentence in November 1983 and served 27 years before being released in April 2010.

He was subsequently sent back to jail for five years in March 2011 after burgling a house in Peterborough in October 2010, just six months after being released.

Intro music:⁣

David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet'⁣

linktr.ee/davidjohnbradymusic⁣

References:⁣

Accused killer called at police station - claim. (1983, November 16). Lincolnshire Echo, 1.

Blanco, J. I. (n.d.). Robert France. Murderpedia. Retrieved September 29, 2023, from http://www.murderpedia.org/male.F/f/france-robert.htm

Brutal killer could strike again - police. (1983, April 16). Birmingham Mail, 1.

Child killer Robert France jailed for burglary. (2011, March 11). BBC News. Retrieved September 29, 2023, from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-12718001

Date set for murder trial. (1983, October 18). Lincolnshire Echo, 3.

Favourite hymn sung at Gillian’s funeral. (1983, May 17). Lincolnshire Free Press, 1.

Feekins, M. (1983, April 22). Gillian’s last walk retraced. Stamford Mercury, 1–35.

France jailed for life. (1983, November 24). Lincolnshire Echo, 1.

“France was not the murderer.” (1983, November 18). Stamford Mercury, 2.

Gill: Clue of circus. (1983, April 17). Sunday Mirror, 3.

Gillian death: city inquiries. (1983, April 18). Cambridge Daily News, 5.

Gillian knew killer, theory. (1983, April 18). Liverpool Echo, 3.

Gillian murder quiz for 12,000. (1983, April 20). Daily Mirror, 15.

Gillian’s killer. (1983, April 21). Belfast Telegraph, 3.

Gillian’s killer could be local. (1983, April 19). Lincolnshire Free Press, 1.

Grantham police help in the hunt for girl’s killer. (1983, April 22). Grantham Journal, 1.

Gray, T. (1983a, November 18). How Gillian was found. Spalding Guardian, 1.

Gray, T. (1983b, November 18). “Sex with accused. . . then Gillian was murdered.” Spalding Guardian, 3.

Gray, T. (1983c, November 22). Gillian: police tell of interviews with accused. Lincolnshire Free Press, 1.

Gray, T. (1983d, November 22). Murder trial told of letter. Lincolnshire Free Press, 1.

Killer could strike again. (1983, April 16). Newcastle Evening Chronicle, 2.

Last steps retraced. (1983, April 20). Cambridge Daily News, 9.

MAN CHARGED WITH KILLING SCHOOLGIRL. (1983, May 3). Lincolnshire Echo, 1.

Murder remand charge. (1983, May 13). Stamford Mercury, 16.

Murdered girl victim of local man, say police: GILLIAN “KNEW HER KILLER.” (1983, April 19). Daily Mirror, 11.

Murder-hunt police make new warning. (1983, April 17). Sunday Sun (Newcastle), 2.

Parents warned after murder. (1983, April 16). Liverpool Echo, 1.

Police hunt brutal killer. (1983, April 16). Derby Daily Telegraph, 1.

Pony in memory. (1983, December 8). Liverpool Echo, 4.

Robert France. (n.d.). Murder in the UK. Retrieved September 29, 2023, from http://www.murderuk.com/robert-france.html

Robert France – Market deeping. (2012, May 5). UK Database. Retrieved September 29, 2023, from https://uk-database.org/2012/05/05/robert-france-market-deeping/

Rose, D. (1983a, April 18). HELP CATCH KILLER SAYS GILL’S DAD. Lincolnshire Echo, 1.

Rose, D. (1983b, April 20). Pets poignant reminder of girl victim. Lincolnshire Echo, 9.

Self, A. (1983, April 17). GYMKHANA GIRLS WEEP FOR THEIR FRIEND GILL. The People, 5.

Slattery, J. (1983, November 15). MAN PLOTTER COVER-UP OF KILLING - QC. Lincolnshire Echo, 1.

Smith, C. (1983, April 16). GILL’S BRUTAL KILLER MAY STRIKE AGAIN. Lincolnshire Echo, 1.

Smith, P. (1983, April 16). Murder riddle of Genette Tate double. Daily Mirror, 1.

Someone knows Gill’s killer. (1983, April 23). Lincolnshire Echo, 1.

Tragic task for Gillian’s friend. (1983, April 21). Lincolnshire Echo, 1.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices