The Kidnapping Of Lesley Whittle - 1975 (True Crime)

At the time, he was Britain's "Public Enemy Number One", a notorious armed robber and multiple killer nicknamed The Black Panther. His kidnap of 17 year old heiress Lesley Whittle shocked the nation and launched one of the biggest manhunts ever seen in the UK.
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Although focused primarily on disasters, this channel is all about the interesting, the strange, the unsolved, the tragic. Our world has a varied history full of terrible tragedies, bizarre tales, unexplained events, and extravagant people. I hope you enjoy some of the fascinating stories we have here.
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[@m.streicher8286]

This is my current "most underrated channel" by a lot. Your narration and writing is great.

[@jenniferk9242]

I have to give credit to the KZbin algorithm for suggesting this and several other smaller channels that I enjoy immensely. I find myself liking many of these smaller channels more than the more established big name/big subscriber channels in similar genres.

[@theravenseye9443]

Thanks a lot for the positive comment!

[@TracyA123]

Agreed 100%! One day he will wake up have 100 thousand subs I garuntee it

[@arnaudt3935]

@@TracyA123 I confirm that !

[@blueridger28]

@@theravenseye9443 yes! I just stumbled onto your channel, now I binge lol

[@grahambuckerfield4640]

And 6 years later, two beat coppers also caught the Yorkshire Ripper, not the teams of detectives, if you think the Whittle case was screwed up, the years of bungling with the Ripper was on another level, plenty of detectives on that case knew this but the those leading it were not used to getting advice that contradicted their pre conceptions.

[@rosemaryjones5550]

He was overlooked multiple times by the teams (the yorkshire ripper)

[@mcfcguvnors]

Dilligent copper , a beat copper wasnt it ? sutcliffe went for s Pi$$ & stashed a hammer & screwdriver , copper went back after putting him in a cell & another bobby cracks a case that CID takje credit for

[@Alext165]

Humans never stop surprising me on how evil they can be, how awful that must of been for that poor young lady

[@MASTER.SON.]

Not they, we. All we're capable of horrendous things if we're pushed enough

[@herrcobra4144]

It's part of our nature

[@Verilee1970]

It's little consolation, but the image of the killer's face beaten and his eye smashed was a satisfying thing to see.

[@mileshigh1321]

The police did a great job of bungling this from the beginning ! Poor Lesley, RIP

[@maureenhenderson720]

Thank you for your reporting on this sad , tragic case . I remember this wet well . I was the same age as Lesley . What a horrific death this poor girl suffered . May her soul rest in peace . I hope that monster is festering in purgatory. God bless Lesley . ❤️🙏

[@ThePursuitofHappiness1988]

Purgatory? Hell. I hope he’s in hell.

[@lisaadams6753]

Yes along with his lawyers who should be there with him. “Well, her death was an accident!” OK -he and his lawyers can accidentally die that way.

[@Audriene]

This channel will blow up soon. Keep at it, great job.

[@theravenseye9443]

Thanks for the encouraging comment Agie!

[@petejones879]

All this happened within 15 to 20 miles from where I live.. Very sad tale for poor Lesley. I remember the case well

[@dev-debug]

I think if the crowd had known he was the Black Panther it would have ended right there on the sidewalk.

[@ThePursuitofHappiness1988]

Be at peace, Lesley Whittle. Be at peace, beautiful soul.

[@TracyA123]

Imagine being part of that crowd and delivering some "physical justice" to some pos who tried to murder two Police Officers! There is literally nothing, short of killing, that you couldn't do to that person. I suspect that not much effort went into stopping the crowd.😂 This was a very sad video. How chilling that she was locked in a hole alive..wow. Great video sir!👍

[@theravenseye9443]

Thanks Tracy A (You'd stopped commenting, have you been ok?)

[@TracyA123]

@@theravenseye9443 ☺Hello my friend thanks for asking. I got very sick and I've been down for a couple of months. I am starting to get better.

[@theravenseye9443]

@@TracyA123 Glad to hear you are on the mend. Take care of yourself.

[@Treblaine]

I've seen far worse mugshots of "bad'ns" that got subdued, I think he got off relatively lightly.

[@scooby1992]

Apparently the police officers ended up having to defend Neilson from the crowd . This happened outside the Junction Fish and Chip shop in the former mining village of Rainworth in Nottinghamshire . It is still there today .

[@thejudgmentalcat]

Another case I had not heard of before...that poor girl. If the crowd had known what he had just done, he probably wouldn't have lived to trial.

[@Revoknight99]

Interesting and terrifying case to say the least. Rest in peace to that girl who is in a place now where she will never be treated like that again

[@gabe-po9yi]

Since she was emaciated, she had lived for quite a while after he abandoned her. Tragic she wasn’t found. What about the night watchman, though, was his death discovered?

[@scooby1992]

The Night Watchman , Gerald Smith was shot quite a few miles away from the park near to Dudley Zoo at a Freightliner Terminal and it happened as Neilson was laying one of the trails of messages meant to lead Ronald Whittle to the ransom drop . Mr.Smith survived the shooting and lived for over a year and a day before dying as a result of his injuries so I dont think Neilson was or could be charged with his murder , but may have been charged with Manslaughter .

[@pp3k3jamail]

The guy in the video clearly said that the night watchman survived the shots.

[@gabe-po9yi]

@@pp3k3jamail I missed that, thanks.

[@LilAngelPrincess95]

I agree about her living for a while since she was so emaciated. Also since he confessed to the other murders and crimes so I kind of believe him when he says he didn't kill her himself. He still left her for dead, either thinking she'd be found or not caring either way. I'm thinking it was either an accident and she fell or something.

[@Jenny010132]

I’m running out of your videos! Please make more! Your no nonsense style is just what I’ve been looking for!

[@karlepaul6632]

I can honestly say I've never heard this story before. Thanks for sharing it.

[@StefunnyStrange]

The UK’s laws for murderers are so lax. Why TF would it be rare for a murderer to do a true life sentence? That should be the norm for murderers, no?

[@colesmith7509]

I'm shocked he got away with his crimes for so long considering how brain dead his plan was for collecting ransom. Nothing made sense in any way, and I would expect he wasn't exactly brilliant when he planned his other crimes

[@ashishjoshi8148]

I am glad the killer got his comeuppance in the end. What a dreadful man! A neat video that sums up everything about the case! Great job, sir!

[@davidanspach1624]

Just found this channel. Instantly subscribed.

[@theravenseye9443]

Awesome, thanks a lot !!

[@elig9346]

So pleased to have found your channel, perfect for what I ve been looking for. New subscriber, Eli G.

[@Victoria-wb8ez]

Imagine a defence lawyer trying to mitigate on his behalf regarding her terrifying ordeal and death. Vile.

[@HauntedXXXPancake]

Yeah, People accused of certain crimes obviously don't deserve legal defence or perhaps even a trial. Mob-Justice worked for Centuries, so why mess with a good thing, right ?

[@GenghisCohen257]

So horrible. I think the best thing is how clearly that comes through here. The ugliness of it HAS to be detailed. Otherwise we don't see it for what it is: disgusting; evil.

[@JXC25]

Just found your channel, awesome videos, also I really enjoy the topics you choose.

[@UNUSUALUSERNAME220]

Leave it to the media to assign a "catchy nickname" to a cold blooded murderer! Way to validate these animals!

[@robertcronin6603]

Exactly

[@stuartmiller7419]

Indeed. They did the same with 'the Yorkshire ripper', spurring him on. Sick.

[@karlepaul6632]

That's what reporting was about then as it is now, which is doing whatever is necessary to get their story heard, because the end game is to bring in more revenue. $$$

[@jbhix2691]

Love your channel. Great video.

[@Genetulsa1]

Nice upload! I always enjoy a good history lesson.

[@isatoro77]

This is such a great channel!

[@jessicamilestone4026]

I'm so glad I found this channel.

[@jennifergilbert9596]

Your research is excellent and make an excellent video. Thank you.

[@andykerr3803]

Great video, somehow I did not think it would end so dark.

[@YourOldUncleNoongah]

How fukken pathetic no one thought to search that drain access area and tunnels.... Jeez.

[@derSchreii]

Thank you for your good work Sir. I hope you are here to stay on yt

[@toraatoro1106]

i just subbed and a video came out, it was all me guys

[@sitiafifahbintiazmi9201]

%

[@LollipopLozzy454545]

Fun fact- the fish and chip shop Neilson was arrested outside of is in the village I grew up in. Locals beat him so savagely that the police officers ended up having to protect him.

[@cazharris5581]

I grew up in Rainworth too - he picked the wrong community for a fight and if they had known all that he had done, I don’t think he’d have got to trial…

[@galaxysurfer1122]

I remember this happening as I was 12 at the time and was horrified when the details were released about her final resting place and what she must have went through. Probably my first taste of how evil some people really can be.

[@lisaadams6753]

Fabulous writing and narration

[@EverendeverGroup]

Great video.

[@keithdavison2960]

In my top 5 underrated channels love the content and the delivery being a Londoner it was a surprise to me people north of the M25 had internet access 😂😂😂😂 I jest obviously fantastic channel binge watching your back catalogue, found the Bradford fc story quite touching

[@stuartmiller7419]

I was 10 when this happened and remember the event well, although too young to understand the full detail behind it. Thanks for doing this. It was excellent.

[@theravenseye9443]

Thanks for the comment Stuart!

[@michaelgallagher3640]

Stuart, you have an uncanny resemblance to Neil Peart. 🤓

[@elliaurora825]

Hey I've just came across your channel & I sub'd to you as you've got some great video's up & I like the way you narrate these videos with plenty of info etc, keep up the good work your doing. X😎🐘

[@theravenseye9443]

Thanks and welcome

[@marknestbox]

THIS CHANNEL WILL LIKELY GARNER THE FAME THAT NUKES TOP 5 FOUND, WELL DONE!

[@fhwolthuis]

Amazing story, never heard of it

[@wolcek]

Was the Police led by Boris Johnson by any chance?

[@crossloveslife]

The fact the locals beat the guy after pulling him out of the police car is both hilarious and throughly satisfying

[@secondchance6603]

That poor girl, that's all I'll say.

[@muttonchopsgayever]

“he failed at many jobs, including being a cab” Ok, I’m a failure at cab driving, so I’m going to go into the kidnap and murder business.

[@blurryangel_]

Let’s do it

[@ladytron1724]

Brilliant channel.Just found it.😀😀😀😀😀

[@theravenseye9443]

Glad you found me!

[@kstanni87]

Looks like a series of fates prevented the panther from getting the ransom money.

[@samgunn12]

I think one of the take-aways here is that the police couldn’t find their asses with both hands, a traffic flare, and GPS.

[@scooby1992]

Fir point , especially not searching the park thoroughly and members of the public finding clues . but the only defence I have for the police is that there werent the scientific processes available in 1975 like there are now , including DNA .

[@grahamkitchen6650]

I would ❤ to see your take On the serial killer John Reginald Christie and the Rillington place murders .

[@Golo1949]

I was born and lived in Blidworth, the village that he was going to when caught, I remember it well.

[@zew1414]

Nice! Couldn't wait for a new video! Keep up with the non recycled stories and you will blow the fuck up mate! 👌🖖

[@theravenseye9443]

Thanks for the +ve comment. cheers!

[@ThePresidentofMars]

Please do more true crime

[@Cautionary_Tale_Harris]

Question: At 12:34 you say, "He's one of only a select few prisoners in the UK to have never been released." I don't understand what this means. I've heard before that a 'life sentence' in the UK doesn't actually mean a life sentence but is it common for career criminals with home invasion, kidnapping, battery, and multiple murder convictions to be released?

[@mercoid]

They are sickeningly soft on criminals. Unrealistically optimistic that some people can be reformed. Totally ignorant as to the nature which drives the most violent of criminals.

[@WouldntULikeToKnow.]

It took the police *2 MONTHS* to search the ransom drop spot??? Wtf???

[@bigwendigo2253]

The Black Panther and The Black Panthers are not the same at all, definitely an interesting story though. Glad that piece of shit was never released.

[@scooby1992]

I dont think he ever expressed ANY remorse right up to his dying day .

[@dennis2376]

Thank you.

[@charliebone8335]

It wouldn't matter. His criminal act led to her death so he's still responsible even if he didn't push her.

[@stevenmacdonald9619]

The only political issue in my life that has ever fully changed position on several occasions, is whether I support the readmission of the death sentence in the UK. 'An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind', so I get to a point where I understand the use of a full life sentence. Then I will hear of a case such as this one, involving a sadistic, uncaring sociopath, with such little regard for human life, that life itself is too good for them. Nobody would have wept genuinely if this man had been put to death for his crimes. Instead, the public had to pay to keep him alive into his 70's, and in this case, the rest of his life spent in prison, was no justice at all. Personally, I would have stripped him naked with a wire around his neck, in January, in Yorkshire, with no food or water, and simply left him, never to return. That, I think most people here would agree, would have been justice. Sometimes the word 'evil', is not enough.

[@annnee6818]

It's a misconception that executing prisoners is cheaper. It is not. Plus people do get convicted innocently and you can't take an execution back. But yes. Sometimes it's hard to accept that such a vile person gets to live.

[@starryian007]

@@annnee6818 I fail to see why it’s a misconception? 40 years of incarceration and all that entails in expenses with additional Cat A security compared with a few weeks and execution? I think someone’s been spinning you a few yarns.

[@Cautionary_Tale_Harris]

​@@annnee6818 The government making an execution expensive doesn't mean it must be expensive. There are cases where there is zero question of guilt.

[@Cautionary_Tale_Harris]

"An eye for an eye makes the whole world blind" is a silly non sequitur that some people find clever. Executing someone who's killed multiple people in their homes, beaten a woman's skull in, kidnapped and murdered a 17-year-old girl after torturing her for who knows how long is exceedingly appropriate and just.

[@stevenmacdonald9619]

@@Cautionary_Tale_Harris Well the Mahatma Gandhi freed India with his philosophy. It doesn't refer to only murder, more any wrong doing from one to another. It is meant to teach 'not lowering yourself' to that of a criminal or animal. If you take revenge for murder, as much as it may satisfy primal anger, you are in the end, nothing but a murderer yourself, and will be no better for being a killer also. There is another proverb that goes along with this one too..... In the land of the blind, the one eyed man is King. Evil shall be evil if given any chance to be. We should never fight evil, with evil. For we must be better than that, if we understand evolution. I think with a few years, and more experience, you will find Gandhi's words were totally logical in every way

[@stephenbaumann9964]

Poor kid!!.. may she finally be at peace !!

[@bigbeartanner]

The law enforcement were kinda being wankers

[@theravenseye9443]

The main criticism of the police was that they didn't talk to each other. The police dealing with the kidnap didn't talk to the local bobbies who knew the area etc... Britain was a lot less violent back then, and most cops were used to just petty theft etc...

[@bigbeartanner]

@@theravenseye9443 ahhh that makes sense. Thank you for the explanation

[@scooby1992]

@@theravenseye9443 A great video ! You are right , the police didnt have the IT systems that would have identified links . Local forces were reluctant to call in experts from the Met ( Scotland Yard ) who were a bit more experinenced in dealing with serious , violent criminals . Not counting the countless house break ins and Post Office Robberies where violence wasnt used I reckon about 7 Police Forces were involved in this case . Greater Manchester dealt with a Post Officer raid in Heywood where the Post Master had his toes broken after Neilson stamped on his feet , West Midlands dealt with the Sydney Grayland Post Office Murder at Oldbury and the killing of Gerald Smith at Dudley , Lancashire dealt with Derek Astin's murder at a Post Office near Accrington , North Yorkshire dealt with the first Post Office Murder at Harrogate , West Mercia were the force where Lesley lived and were investigating the kidnap on their patch and they apparently didnt communicate with the neighbouring Staffordshire Force who covered Bathpool park . He was caught by chance by Nottinghamshire Police on their patch .

[@ithewonder]

Poor girl, didn't help having the keystone cops in charge either !

[@davidsaxon8660]

I live in Oxford where his is crown court trial was held

[@jeremylukedominicbate7482]

The post office at 2 minutes 20, was that the one at Barker End Rd, Bradford? If so I was born there before it became a post office. We were in Howden in 1974 (where we never locked our door), but in Bradford where my grandparents lived they always locked it. Now I understand why. It's a pity they got rid of the death penalty.

[@Cruisey]

Apparently Nielson loved the army and it totally suited him. Many suspect that had his wife not forced him to leave, history may have played out quite differently...

[@jasonhare8540]

After watching years of true crime I'm getting to the point where I'm honestly shocked when the police catch anybody ....

[@stevencooke6451]

There are some people for whom the death penalty seems appropriate though perhaps too lenient.

[@danielcappuccino8143]

It always astounds me that someone could commit such violent and horrific acts with no regard for anybody but themselves and then expect mercy and freedom. He tried to get out of prison based on EU human rights laws? Does he not think he deserves his punishment?

[@TheTrevelyansway]

I don’t think he pushed her. I think she at some point tried to save herself, and it ended up killing her sadly. This guy deserved the death penalty.

[@kelliemariemarshall]

You are on the right track my son! FUCKING awesome! You know it's grimm up north!

[@Peace-tk3gr]

Callous to the endth degree. That poor girl 😞😟

[@mcfcguvnors]

I was a loudmouth as a youth & ended up on Remand in Norwich Jail Seeing Neilson on the 4s put me F***** right i can tell ya !

[@torgeirbrandsnes1916]

You say: He bought. I think he stole…

[@paulsmodels]

It never ceases to amaze me how utterly evil some people can be. As for the stupid media people, giving this evil man a cute name like they did just further emboldens guys like this.

[@HauntedXXXPancake]

Not exactly a case that cures one of the impression, that solving actual crimes is more of a hobby the British Police isn't that good at, compared to their day-job of harassing & milking the Public.

[@allandavis8201]

The police response to this tragic case was pitiful, thinking 💭 it was a student prank, not calling in additional help when they were inexperienced in kidnapping situations, a leak to the media even though it was meant to be a news blackout, it had to be a leak within the force/investigation team, the family wouldn’t have let it slip out, so that points the finger squarely to the police, and the photographs of the search teams (presumably taken by the media) would only confirm to Nielsen that the police were involved, and in addition that would put him even more on his guard, he obviously had mental health issues and that didn’t help his paranoia or his readiness to kill. The only thing that was a little bit of payback on Nielsen was the beating that he got from the bystanders outside the chippy, I wonder if he would have had the audacity to want them charged with assault, I don’t think 💭 he would, but you never know what is in the mind of a psychopath like him. Thanks for sharing this story, I remember it from my youth, and even back then it angered me that the police were inept. Thanks again 😀👍🇬🇧🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿🇺🇦

[@stickynorth]

The only times I support the death penalty...

[@alexanderdukeler3948]

You have a tremendous channel! I have watched several of your efforts and they are all top notch! The narration and overall feel are gripping, and perfectly suited to the grim events they describe. Keep up the excellent work. As for The Black Panther, hopefully he’s rotting in Hell.

[@mac7040]

Humans rights laws are not the the EUs, but part of the UN and the Geneva convention. Common mistake but the the EU part of the ECHR refers to the location of that court as opposed to other courts around the world.

[@shapexdd2164]

What a pleasant chap he was

[@zew1414]

But why escalate into a murderer, he was getting the job. Done without it, I wonder what change?

[@AnthonyGerardiAndroidWare]

The thrill dies out. Have to continually up the anti to get his jollies

[@galady8632]

Only a very sick person would even think of, muchless commit such crimes. A total waste of oxygen!

[@nickd3157]

I saw that movie, lol.

[@deanothemanc5281]

1970s British policing. Fing useless. RIP Leslie. Heartbreaking.

[@50sRockChick]

What an absolute POS. That poor girl. :( I wouldn't wish MND on my worst enemy. But it seems to be a bit of karma in this case.

[@nanobotless864]

Today, those locals outside the fish 'n chips shop would pull out their smartphones if not already in their hands and film the situation... hopefully, some would assist... 🙏

[@kelliemariemarshall]

What kinda forever

[@toddanderson6952]

Should have left him to the mob

[@marcel1372]

excellence in policing yet again 👍

[@greenrosenz]

The police advised they were looking for 'a man with a Geordie accent'. I think it was 'Not the 9o'clock News that did a comedy sketch where police were said to be looking for 'a man with a Geordie accent'. Black humour but funny at the time as it shocked.

[@cazharris5581]

That was the Yorkshire Ripper…

[@RonHutchCraft2]

so what you are saying is: he should not have tried his hand at kidnapping. poor Leslie would still be alive. crime still does not pay. 😅😅😅

[@VladimirTolskiy]

A nation that took over the world yet always had a great economic inequality back home.

[@johnplaid648]

I only wish the lady had armed herself. This was the second bus transportation murder in the world. A similar occurrence was in the U.S. New Jersey bus company owner Alan Mackerley was convicted of first degree murder Saturday in his third trial in the 1996 slaying of a business rival whose body has never been found.

[@brianrigsby7900]

How about the black panther olympics hostages next?

[@scooby1992]

Black September .

[@edwardjensen1049]

Don't be rich.

[@KangarooDude69]

Thought this was gonna be some IRA sht but nope damn

[@billy123174]

Pled

[@djphlange]

irene taint...... thats unfortunate

[@polishadamtv]

I LOVE THE BLACK PANTHER TOTALL LEGEND

[@timlewis5096]

Those cops were almost as incompetent as those cops at the school shooting in the USA who just stood and listened as kids died