S15E07 | Lesley Whittle and the Sub-postmaster Murders: Lives Lost Across Four Counties (1974-1975)

In the mid-seventies, a wave of terror swept across multiple English counties, culminating in the tragic murder of 17-year-old Lesley Whittle. A promising student and beloved daughter, Lesley was kidnapped and held for ransom - a nightmare that would grip her family and shock the nation.

But Lesley wasn't the only victim of her captor. In the months leading up to her abduction, three sub-postmasters - Donald Skepper, Derek Astin and Sidney Grayland - had been ruthlessly targeted, each meeting a devastating fate.

Despite their attempts to protect themselves and their communities, these innocent men became the victims of a chilling string of attacks, which led investigators on a relentless pursuit of one of Britain’s most notorious killers.

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Intro music:⁣
David John Brady - 'Throw Down the Gauntlet'⁣
davidjohnbrady.com

Disclaimer:
The case discussed in this podcast episode is real and represents the worst day in many people's lives. I aim to cover such stories with a victim-focused approach, using information from publicly available sources. While I strive for accuracy, some details may vary depending on the sources used. I list the sources used in each episode on my website. Due to the nature of the content, listener discretion is advised. Thank you for your understanding and support.

References:
£5,000 reward. (1974, February 20). Belfast Telegraph, 1.
£50,000 ransom demand after Midland girl is kidnapped. (1975, January 15). Birmingham Daily Post, 1.
Addley, E. (2011, December 19). Black Panther killer Donald Neilson dies. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2011/dec/19/black-panther-donald-neilson-dies
BACKGROUND on the Black Panther. . . the ruthless killer who was finally trapped in Nottinghamshire. (1976, July 22). Nottingham Evening Post, 7.
BIG HUNT AFTER P.O. MAN KILLED BY INTRUDER. (1974, February 15). Staffordshire Sentinel, 1.
Binoculars lead brings Panther hunt north. (1975, March 12). Liverpool Echo, 1.
BLACK PANTHER: Cunning killer’s plans went tragically wrong. (1978, December 3). Sunday Sun (Newcastle), 14.
Bullet clue in hunt. (1974, November 14). Hull Daily Mail, 1.
Clarke, R. (1975, March 8). Trail that led to Kidsgrove. Birmingham Daily Post, 6.
Daniels, W. (1975a, January 15). £50,000-OR KIDNAP HEIRESS DIES. Daily Mirror, 3.
Daniels, W. (1975b, February 11). CLUES TO THE HOODED PANTHER. Daily Mirror, 5.
DEADLINE DRAMA IN KIDNAPPING. (1975, January 15). Aberdeen Evening Express, 1.
Donald Neilson “asked staff not to keep him alive.” (2012, August 9). BBC News. Retrieved November 5, 2024, from https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-19191268
End of era for coach firm. (2004, January 15). Worcester News. https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/7575994.end-of-era-for-coach-firm/
Fears grow for Lesley’s safety. (1975, January 16). Aberdeen Evening Express, 1.
FRESH LEADS IN LOCAL MURDER HUNT. (1974, March 1). Ripon Gazette, 13.
Glove clue in murder hunt. (1974, November 14). Wolverhampton Express and Star, 1.
Gun raid link in killing. (1974, February 16). Wolverhampton Express and Star, 1.
Harrogate PO man shot dead by hooded intruder. (1974, February 15). Huddersfield Daily Examiner, 18.
Hawkes, H. (1976, July 22). The man behind the mask. Birmingham Mail, 7.
Heiress student who liked parties. (1975, March 8). Belfast News-Letter, 2.
Hepburn, P., & Orr, M. (1975, January 17). Random pledge by kidnap police. Birmingham Daily Post, 1.
Hoaxer who brought misery. (1975, March 11). Birmingham Daily Post, 9.
Holden, B. (1974, November 16). Post raid widow talks to CID. Wolverhampton Express and Star, 5.
HOODED INTRUDER SHOT P.O. MAN DEAD. (1974, February 15). Leicester Daily Mercury, 1.
Hooded killer hits post office. (1974, February 15). Wolverhampton Express and Star, 1.
Hooded raider kills P.O. man. (1974, September 6). Aberdeen Evening Express, 1.
INQUEST OPENS ON LESLEY WHITTLE. (1975, March 10). Coventry Evening Telegraph, 1.
INSIDE THE STRANGE SEALED LAIR OF THE BLACK PANTHER. (1976, July 21). Liverpool Echo, 2.
Killer in black. (1974, September 6). Kent Evening Post, 49.
Knight, J. (1976, July 21). INSIDE THE MIND OF THE BLACK PANTHER. Sunday Mirror, 8–9.
LOCK OF HAIR CLUE IN GIRL KIDNAP HUNT. (1975, February 11). Liverpool Echo, 1.
Lockley, M. (2021, October 10). How “Black Panther” Donald Neilson terrorised the Midlands and snuffed out the life of a 17-year-old girl. Birmingham Live. Retrieved November 5, 2024, from https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/black-country/how-black-panther-donald-neilson-21806897
Orr, M. (1974, November 13). Police in hunt for “maniac” after post office killing. Birmingham Daily Post, 12.
Police hunt a killer from the sewer. (1975, March 9). The People, 1.
Police hunt savage killer. (1974, November 12). Aberdeen Evening Express, 5.
Police link post office killer with earlier raids. (1974, November 19). Birmingham Daily Post, 14.
Police silent on “frightened voice” Lesley tapes. (1975, February 12). Leicester Daily Mercury, 27.
Police swoop on the phantom. (1974, October 28). Daily Express, 13.
Post Office murderer may have killed twice. (1974, September 7). Birmingham Daily Post, 25.
Rae, C. (1975, January 24). Gunman in kidnap mystery. Wolverhampton Express and Star, 1.
Rare gun glue to man in black. (1974, September 7). Wolverhampton Express and Star, 10.
Reign of terror that lasted eight years. (1976, July 22). Birmingham Mail, 7.
Search for hooded killer. (1974, February 16). Aberdeen Press and Journal, 1.
SENSATION OF KIDNAP “DEAL.” (1975, January 25). Wolverhampton Express and Star, 1.
Squire, K. (1975, February 23). “DOUBLE ERROR” OVBER LESLEY. Sunday Express, 1.
Stephens, J. (1976, July 22). The Panther. Liverpool Daily Post (Welsh Edition), 6.
Tribute to a “trusted and respected man.” (1974, March 1). Ripon Gazette, 9.
Tullett, T. (1976, July 22). THE LIFE AND CRIMES OF THE BLACK PANTHER. Daily Record, 14–15.
TUNNEL OF DEATH FOR LESLEY. (1975, March 9). Sunday Post, 1.
Two tapes found in kidnap case. (1975, March 6). The Scotsman, 4.
Village P.O. man shot dead by raider. (1974, September 6). Coventry Evening Telegraph, 1.
Walton, J., & Scott, J. (1975, March 10). LESLEY: A HUNT FOR TWO MEN. Birmingham Mail, 1.
Was name to blame? (1998, September 25). Dewsbury Reporter, 56.
Welcome to Whittles Coaches. (n.d.). Whittle Coach & Bus Limited. Retrieved November 5, 2024, from https://www.whittlecoach.co.uk/
Whittle case: No bail. (1975, January 31). Wolverhampton Express and Star, 12.
Wife sees gun raid victim die. (1974, February 16). Daily Express, 13.
WIFE SEES HUSBAND SHOT DEAD. (1974, September 6). Kent Evening Post, 1.
Yard men join in the big hunt for Lesley. (1975, January 18). Aberdeen Evening Express, 19.