Pensioner, 92, who murdered woman in UK's ‘oldest cold case' will die in prison
Ryland Headley was told he had committed a 'pitiless and cruel act by a depraved man' as he was jailed for life for murdering 75-year-old Louisa Dunne.
The former railway worker was found guilty of both charges by a jury at Bristol Crown Court in what is thought to be the UK's longest-running cold case to be solved.
He was 34 when he forced open a window at the home of Mrs Dunne in the Easton area of Bristol in June 1967 before attacking her.
Trial judge Mr Justice Sweeting imposed a life sentence and told Headley he was fixing a minimum term of 20 years' imprisonment.
'You broke into her home, you sexually assaulted her and in doing so, you caused her death,' he said. 'You may not have intended to kill, but you planned to rape her, and you brutally attacked her.
'When you did so, you met her screams and struggles in a force sufficient to kill.
'The nature of these offences demonstrates a complete disregard for human life and dignity.
'Mrs Dunne was vulnerable. She was a small, elderly woman living alone. You exploited that vulnerability.
'You treated her as a means to an end. The violation of her home, her body, and ultimately, her life, was a pitiless and cruel act by a depraved man.'
The judge added: 'The minimum term I impose is 20 years. You would be entitled to credit for the time spent on remand, which can be calculated separately.
'It is normally necessary to explain the effect of such a minimum term in detail.
'Given your age and for all practical purposes, I can do so in very short terms. You'll never be released and you will die in prison.'
Ms Dunne's granddaughter told the court how Headley's evasion from justice for almost 60 years had a devastating effect on her family.
Headley's victim was found dead by neighbours in the front room of her terraced home in Britannia Road.
A pathologist concluded that Mrs Dunne died from asphyxia due to strangulation and pressure on her mouth, probably from a hand being held over it.
Bristol Constabulary, as the force was then, launched a huge investigation, taking the palm prints of 19,000 men and boys in an attempt to find a match to one left on an upstairs window.
But the case remained unsolved for more than 50 years until Avon and Somerset Police detectives sent items from the original investigation for DNA testing for the first time.
Semen recovered from a blue skirt worn by Mrs Dunne matched Headley's DNA to a ratio that meant it was a billion times more likely to be from him than anybody else.
When his left palm print was finally taken, in November last year, it matched the print left at the scene.
Ms Dainton stood in the witness box at Bristol Crown Court to tell Mr Justice Sweeting about the impact Headley's actions had on her family.
'The death of my grandmother had a far-reaching effect throughout my family,' she told the court. 'I feel it falls to me to speak for the people who are no longer here.'
Speaking after Headley was sentenced, Detective Inspector Dave Marchant of Avon and Somerset Police paid tribute to Mrs Dunne's family and those who worked on the case.
'Ryland Headley is finally facing justice for the horrific crimes he committed against Louisa in 1967,' he said.
'The impact of this crime has cast a long shadow over the city and in particular Louisa's family, who have had to deal with the sadness and trauma ever since.
'Louisa's granddaughter Mary has shown remarkable resilience and courage throughout the investigation and trial, and our thoughts remain very much with her.
'This has been a unique investigation which has involved teams from across Avon and Somerset Police and South West Forensics, as well as our policing colleagues in Suffolk, the National Crime Agency and the Crown Prosecution Service.
'I'm proud of the professionalism, care and dedication shown by all those involved in this successful outcome, and it showcases what's possible when new and old policing techniques are brought together.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
15 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Pictured: 'Beautiful and vibrant' mother, 56, who died after she was 'murdered by BMW driver'
A mother described by her family as 'beautiful and vibrant' has been pictured for the first time after she was allegedly murdered by a BMW driver. Nila Patel, 56, died after allegedly being attacked by Michael Chuwuemeka, 23, following a traffic accident near Leicester City Centre on June 24. She was rushed to hospital but pronounced dead 48 hours later, with the provisional cause of death given as a head injury. The BMW 1 Series driver was then charged with her murder and appeared via video link at Leicester Crown Court today where he was remanded in custody. He has also been charged with dangerous driving, possession with intent to supply class B drugs, attempted grievous bodily harm relating to another incident prior to the collision and alleged assault on a police officer after his arrest. Mr Chuwuemeka has also been charged with causing actual bodily harm in connection with a separate victim in London in the early hours of June 24. Paying tribute to Mrs Patel today, her son Jaiden and daughter Danika described her as 'one of the most kind-hearted people you could ever meet'. They said: 'We are heartbroken, but we want the world to know who our mum truly was - a beautiful, vibrant soul who deserved so much more. 'Her love was quiet but powerful - shown through warm meals, thoughtful words, and a smile that could light up any room. 'She always put others before herself, offering comfort without ever asking for anything in return. Even when life was hard, she carried on with strength, dignity and a smile on her face.' The siblings, who have raised nearly £20,000 for their mother's funeral through a Gofundme, also described the impact she had on them growing up. 'She was a devoted mother, a loyal friend, and an incredibly hard worker,' they added. 'At home and in her career, she gave everything she had - never complaining, always giving. 'She raised us with patience, love, and unwavering support, and our greatest wish was always to make her proud. 'Mum's life was full of love, and the stories we've heard from those who knew her have reminded us of just how deeply she touched the lives around her. She was truly rich in love and generosity. 'We will miss her more than words can ever express. We didn't get the chance to say goodbye, and that pain is something we carry every day. But we will continue to speak her name with pride, honour her memory, and live by the values she taught us. 'Mum's story matters. Her life mattered. We ask that anyone who hears her story helps us keep her name and memory alive.' Leics Police said: 'A man has been charged with murder following the death of a woman who was assaulted on Aylestone Road, Leicester on Tuesday 24 June following a road traffic collision. 'Michael Chuwuemeka, 23, of Dover Street, Leicester has been remanded to appear at Leicester Magistrates' Court on Saturday. 'The pedestrian has been formally identified as 56-year-old Nila Patel, who died in hospital from her injuries on Thursday 26 June. 'A post-mortem examination has been conducted and a provisional cause of Nila's death has been given as a head injury.'
Daily Mail
15 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
EXCLUSIVE Moment Border Force agents smash people smuggling ring as they arrest Gambian national in terraced family home 'who helped launder £3m in profits'
This is the moment investigators smashed a multi-million pound people smuggling and human trafficking ring with raids on Organised Crime suspects in Yorkshire and Essex. Operation Bayburn swung into action today after months of painstaking investigation following the discovery of a doctored passport on a migrant at Manchester Airport. It traced the modern slavery racket to Batley, West Yorkshire, where a dozen officers gathered at 5.30am for a last minute briefing. They were given the name of their target as Suspect Alpha, believed to be the 'Money Man' who had helped launder £3m of the Organised Crime Group's profits. He had been living quietly at a family terraced home in the backstreet, working for a local furniture maker. An early hours recce established someone was home and checked the front door ready for the officers to carry out a forced entry. They were accompanied by a 'Money Dog' called Gilbert trained in Manchester by the UK Border Agency to sniff out cash. The officers, wearing stab proof vests and body cams, then climbed into West Yorkshire Police vans at 5.45am ready to roll. They were unarmed since according to intelligence reports the suspect had no history of violence. There then followed a nail-biting 15 minute wait while units in other parts of Yorkshire and Essex got into position for the co-ordinated swoop. There was concern they were losing the cover of darkness and children may soon be going out to school. But at 6am the team was given the Go order and the police vans sped through the still deserted streets of Batley. To achieve the element of surprise and prevent any evidence being lost, a kinetic steel battering ram - called The Enforcer - was used to break in. The uniformed men, both West Yorkshire Police and Home Office Immigration officers, then made their way into the house. A cautious approach had been ordered because of concerns children might be inside the property. A new born baby and 12-year-old child were found inside the house and their safety was ensured before searches began. The officers, wearing stab proof vests and body cams, then climbed into West Yorkshire Police vans at 5.45am ready to roll The uniformed men, both West Yorkshire Police and Home Office Immigration officers, then made their way into the house. Pictured: The damage done to the door by The Enforcer Gilbert was then sent into the house with his UK Border Agency handler in an attempt to sniff out cash. None was found immediately but a quantity of counterfeit documents was recovered from an address in the Greater London area by the Essex team. A 30-year-old Gambian national was arrested inside the Batley property on suspicion of money laundering and exploitation. He was led out by police around half an hour later to a waiting custody and taken to a local police station for questioning. The street remained quiet despite the police presence with most residents still sleeping. As cars began driving down the street, police maintained a scene guard around the property as the searches inside continued and were expected to take hours. Seven other people were also detained in six properties elsewhere in Yorkshire and Essex on suspicion of facilitating migrants into the UK. Searches of the properties are still underway for electronic devices, passports and cash. He was led out by police around half an hour later to a waiting custody and taken to a local police station for questioning At 6am the team was given the Go order and the police vans sped through the still deserted streets of Batley. Pictured: The Enforcer being carried to the house Hundreds of people are believed to have been victims of the racket. The investigation began when the discovery of a bogus document being used to enter the UK Manchester Airport. It was a genuine passport, with a genuine visa, but the photograph had been altered. They are believed to had paid large sums to fly into the UK on passports with their photographs on but other people's visas and details. After arriving in the UK, they were trafficked into human slavery in ways that police are not yet prepared to disclose. Phillip Parr, the Home Office Immigration Enforcement Criminal and Financial Investigations lead, was on the Batley raid. He said: 'Victims paid a substantial amount of money to come into the UK and have then been exploited by an Organised Crime Group into modern day slavery. 'They came here for a better life. But the dream they were sold was turned into a nightmare. They preyed on the weak and vulnerable. 'All they were interested in was profit. We will bring these callous individuals to justice.' Minister for Border Security and Asylum, Dame Angela Eagle said: 'This operation is a clear display that we will not stand by and let evil criminal gangs abuse our immigration system. 'This suspected gang promised their beneficiaries a better life here in the UK. Instead, they face heinous levels of exploitation which is exactly why we are working with law enforcement to ensure survivors of modern slavery are supported and the criminal gangs face justice. 'Our Border Security Command has £280m of additional funding over the next four years to deliver the step-change required to break their business models and deliver our Plan for Change to restore order to the immigration system.' Ben Ryan, Chief Operating Officer at Medaille Trust, added: 'Medaille Trust is delighted to have collaborated on this operation and to have played a part in ensuring that victims were identified and supported to begin their recovery as survivors. 'We believe that collaborative efforts like this between the Home Office and civil society provide a model for confronting the evils of modern slavery; with a focus on both pursuing abusers and recognising and supporting survivors.'
The Independent
16 minutes ago
- The Independent
Family seeks body camera footage from fatal police shooting of a Black teen in Alabama
Family members of a Black teenager shot and killed by police in an Alabama suburb say they want answers and are seeking to see the body camera footage of the shooting. Jabari Peoples, 18, was shot June 23 by a police officer in the parking lot of a soccer field in Homewood, an affluent suburb near the central city of Birmingham. The Homewood Police Department said the officer fired his weapon after Peoples grabbed a gun from a car door during a scuffle as the officer was trying to arrest him for marijuana possession. The family is disputing the police version of events. Leroy Maxwell, Jr., an attorney representing the family, said Peoples was shot in the back and, according to a witness, did not have a weapon when approached by the officer. Hundreds of people attended a vigil for Peoples at the soccer complex where he was shot. The family released doves and white balloons and brought in a large photo of Peoples with angel wings. Candles spelled out 'Jabari' at the spot where he was killed. Bron Peoples said his younger brother had a plan for his life and would write down his dreams for the future in a notebook. He said their parents had drilled into them how to behave when interacting with police. He said the family is 'calling for justice.' 'The truth needs to come out. The truth has to come out. We need the truth,' he said. 'We've got to continue to stand together so it won't happen to anyone else's brother, son, nephew, cousin. We got to stand together to make a change.' The police department said the details surrounding the incident are 'clearly captured' on the officer's body camera. The department statement added that the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency, which is reviewing the use of force, has possession of the video and will coordinate its release to the family. Maxwell called on the agency to immediately release the footage. 'They deserve to see with their own eyes what happened in Jabari's final moments. The public deserves transparency. Jabari's family deserves justice. And justice begins with the truth,' Maxwell said. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency did not immediately return an email seeking comment. The shooting unfolded at about 9:30 p.m. when a police officer approached a car at the Homewood Soccer Complex where Peoples and a female friend were parked. The Homewood Police Department posted a statement on social media that the officer smelled marijuana and noticed a handgun in the pocket of the driver's side door. The officer attempted to put Peoples in handcuffs to arrest him for marijuana possession and a struggle ensued, according to the statement. 'Peoples broke away from the officer and retrieved the handgun from the open driver's side door pocket, creating an immediate deadly threat to the officer. The officer, fearing for his safety, fired one round from his service weapon to defend himself,' the police statement said. Peoples is a 2024 graduate of Aliceville High School in the city of the same name, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) west of Homewood. Aliceville Mayor Terrence E. Windham sent a letter to Homewood's mayor urging him to work to release 'all available footage related to this case.' Star Robb, a community activist in Birmingham, questioned how marijuana possession escalated into a fatal police shooting. She said the community 'won't stand for lies.' 'He was minding his own business. Even if they did smell weed, when has weed become a death sentence? It's legal in most states around the country so when did it become a death sentence.'
