‘Chilling pattern of behaviour': UK's oldest cold case solved after 60 years, 92-year-old man gets life for 1967 rape and murder
A 92-year-old British citizen was sentenced to life imprisonment for a 1967 rape and murder on Tuesday, in the UK's oldest cold case ever solved. The perpetrator, Ryland Headley, was convicted for raping and killing of 75-year-old Louisa Dunne after he broke into her house 60 years ago, reported AFP.
Judge Derek Sweeting told Headley, "You will never be released, you will die in prison,' after passing the sentence. "She must have experienced considerable pain and fear before her death, ' he added.
Back then, Headley was 34 at the time, was sentenced to a minimum term of 20 years at Bristol Crown Court in Southwest England.
This was not the first offence, as Headley was convicted of as he had previously broken into the homes of two elderly widows and raped them in 1977 as per the Judge.
He was originally sentenced to life in prison for those convictions, but the term was later reduced to seven years on appeal.
They exhibited "chilling pattern of behaviour", the Judge stressed. Citing the Louisa Dunne case, the judge said that the crime had "violated the sanctity and safety of Mrs Dunne's home where she had every right to feel secure.'
Police reopened Dunne's case in 2023 and matched DNA from the victim's skirt to Headley and other evidence from the original investigation, after he had served about two years in prison for his 1977 crimes.
The legal team representing Headley, Doughty Street Chambers, commented that this was Britain's oldest cold case murder, which had remained unsolved for the longest time, as new information surrounding the case emerges.
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